Joyce Booth

Hello, TM Family. My name is Joyce and I have had TM since September 1992. I had just turned forty-two years old when it caught me. I have begun a support group in Mississippi for all of the TMers, their families, caregivers, and friends to come together and be able to discuss our problems and needs with someone that really understands.

 My journey started on September 17, 1992….

 I do not let myself become discouraged. Life is too short to waste time worrying about what one cannot do. I have a good sense of humor and a strong faith in G-d. I feel these two traits have helped me to get to where I am today. I have learned that if I cannot do something the way I used to, I should try to find another way. If it is something I just cannot do at all, then it cannot be that important. It can wait till someone else can do it.

I may have to give in to some of the symptoms I have from time to time, but I will never give up. Everyone has a purpose in life. We each need to find it and live our lives to the fullest.

Joyce lived her life to the fullest, she had a purpose, and she never gave up.

It is with the deepest sadness for me to write that the TMA and the TM community have lost a dear friend. The world has lost a champion for goodness and kindness. Joyce passed away on Wednesday, December 31, 2003.

Joyce was going to college to become a social worker. It was a passion for her and her dream. Joyce may not have earned the degree; but she was already doing the work. She was passionate about her work for the TMA and her support of the TM community in Mississippi. Joyce had monthly meetings of her support group. For those of you involved in leading support groups, you understand the dedication and effort and energy required to hold these meetings on a monthly basis. Joyce was always reaching out to her group and offering support and encouragement. She had a clear understanding of the need of support and encouragement and she was generous and kind in offering this support to others. She was on the telephone regularly with people from her community. So many of us had regular communications with Joyce via email. Joyce often met with people personally in her community when there was a need for help. Joyce was a steady source of strength for so many of us.

The TM community is spread out all over the country and all over the world. My relationships take place on the telephone, in letters and in email messages. So it was with Joyce and me. I communicated with Joyce regularly through emails and on the telephone. Joyce was just a really sweet and dear person. Joyce had so many of her own physical and emotional challenges to deal with and yet she was able to find the strength and the courage to reach beyond her own difficulties to help others. Joyce wanted to help people. She took the experiences from her own life and she offered these as gifts to others who learned from Joyce and were buoyed by Joyce’s wonderful spirit.

There is a void in my world; a deep and sad void. I will personally miss this very sweet person. I have lost a good friend. The TM community has lost a friend and a great supporter. Joyce was tireless in her work for our community. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her; she will be missed by everyone in our community who benefited from her kindness, her caring nature and her positive energy.

We love you, Joyce. Her memory should serve as a blessing for all of us.