Lynnie, not to in any way diminish anything you've said, but I feel compelled to respond that in my experiences here with you, I certainly have not experienced any diminished capacity in you to GIVE joy. Back to that word "ironic"...not only do people who crave solitude seem to find healing in sharing with other people, it would seem that the more wounded someone has been in their lives, the more joy/healing/empowerment they become capable of giving to others. There IS some delightful divine grace involved in all of this "wounded healer" stuff, don't you think!! That the One who loved us into being continues to love us into being, as if being born is not just a one-time event, but a daily calling/gift/grace from God...and that our journey through pain and rebirth is meant to help others along their journey...that everything we experience can be used by God to bring grace/calling/gift and rebirth to others whose lives we touch.

I understand that "diminished capacity for joy". But I think that it's awesome love that allows God to work through your "diminished capacity for joy" to bring joy and healing to others. I'm going to pray that while He's using you to bring joy to me and other women here, that you will be allowed to experience it too!

PS Hannelore, it's another day on the run here today, and I forgot earlier, but came back to thank you so much for your words - they mean more to me than you can know. Bringing laughter to another person's life and heart is more than I could hope or ask for - it's a blessing to hear that from you this morning. Thank you.