I’ve often heard it said that man best survives by learning to adapt.

In these times of COVID, economic upheaval and uncertainty, I’ve been more than surviving.

I’m been finding joy, often in unexpected places.

Last week I found joy in garbage, plenty of garbage that saturated our area.

It started unexpectedly, as often happens, when high winds of 87 miles an hour blew in. At first it was fun to watch the palm trees dance because we had no idea how strong the winds would get.

When full garbage bins and heavy patio furniture blew away like puny paper, we were served notice the wind was not to be underestimated.

Some roofs blew off mobile homes and fallen trees blocked some streets. But believe it or not, the biggest problem in our development was garbage and recycling trash.

When winds exceed 74 mph, the storm is considered to be a hurricane. That’s still not that bad and it wouldn’t have turned into a problem if it didn’t happen on garbage day when all our garbage cans and recycling bins are put on the curb for pickup.

Much of our garbage and recycling items turned our lovely canals into a landfill.

Most people might sit back and wait for the county or our homeowners association to clean the canals.

Isn’t that a typical reaction? We wait for others to clean up a mess and we grumble when it’s not done fast enough to please us.

That wasn’t the case with our garbage problem. As soon as the wind stopped, a local boater organized a boat brigade of volunteers to clean the canals.

It took many trips to make headway, and it wasn’t pretty. But they wouldn’t quit until they cleared away all the junk in the canals.

No one said, “It’s not my job.” And those who showed up for the work brigade weren’t people with time on their hands. They were people who already do so much. But they carved time to help when the community needed that help.

Seeing the goodness of people always makes me feel good inside.

This week a short email from a friend battling cancer gave me joy.

“After my first few treatments I’m feeling remarkably well,” he wrote.

He was going to give up the fight after his doctors said there was nothing more they could do for him except an experimental treatment that might not even help.

Listening to Steve brought back my husband’s battle with cancer.

A day after his surgery for esophageal cancer, doctors discovered his third kind of cancer.

Late at night as I was driving home from the hospital, a doctor called to tell me there was no hope for Andy. They were suspending all treatment.

They were his exact words.

No hope.

My friends Franck and Priscilla helped me get Andy out of the hospital for a one-day pass to get a second opinion at Fox Chase.

The head doctor there said there was another treatment they could do, but he warned it only lasted for about two years. We took that option with complete confidence that another kind of treatment might come along by then.

That’s exactly what happened.

The guy who was told he only had months, at best, lived another 12½ years. They were wonderful years that never would have happened if we gave up.

I feel joy when I read about the attitude of a 10-year-old boy battling brain cancer. His life is a struggle but this little kid isn’t giving up. Instead, he’s finding ways to make others happy. When Alex Meyer was a patient at a children’s hospital, he heard them say they were running out of toys for their young patients. As soon as Alex was out of the hospital he began a toy drive for the children’s hospital. He had hoped to collect 500 toys. Instead, he collected almost 7,000 toys. This year he collected 8,000.

I suspect Alex Meyer is someone who never gives up. I was happy to read his story.

I keep feeling joy at odd times. It happened again this week when I was struggling to get my pool cleaner operational. After spending $150 for parts, it still wouldn’t run.

While I was there fiddling with the settings I wasn’t discouraged because I am thankful I have a house, much less a swimming pool.

Sure, there are constant problems that come with homeownership. I do plenty of grumbling about those problems. But I can never let problems overcome my gratitude.

When I moved into my little southwest Florida cottage I kept looking at the place in wonder, saying thank you, thank you.

Fifteen years later, I still am filled with that wonder and with a deep gratitude.

Each day of life brings so many reasons to be grateful. Often, the day brings joy, often in unexpected places.

I’m convinced that the more we look for the joys of life the more they will be revealed to you.

Contact Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net.