The Inception of The Joy Life Club: Opening the Doors to Joy

Joy isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we create. And sometimes, it begins with something as simple as knocking on a door.

For Melissa, joy had always been woven into the fabric of her life. She had a deep, beautiful relationship with her mother—her best friend, her children’s grandmother, her touchstone. But when her mother passed away, the world felt quieter. Life moved forward—three small children, a busy household—but something was missing. The days felt full yet lonely.

She realized that although she lived in a neighborhood surrounded by people, she didn’t truly know them. One day, out on a walk, it hit her:

Why do I feel so alone when I’m surrounded by homes filled with life?

And then—an idea:
What if she simply knocked?

It felt awkward at first. But once she did, everything shifted. Friendly waves turned into real conversations. Conversations turned into walks, then gatherings, and eventually—deep, meaningful friendships.

And then came the book club that became something else entirely. The chat threads filled with hikes, games, impromptu outings. Melissa’s husband finally said:

“This isn’t a book club anymore. It’s a FunClub!”

And that’s when the spark truly ignited.

At the same time, Mitzi—a therapist with a heart for connection—was on her own journey. Her father, Gene, was the embodiment of joy: a man who never passed up the chance to make someone feel seen. But after the grief of losing her brother and the deep isolation of the pandemic, Mitzi felt the world shrink. Her life, once full of community, had grown quiet.

Then, a friend invited her to “come to our book club.”
She stepped through the door Melissa had opened.

And everything changed.