A Day at Swan Lake… and an Unexpected 6-Mile Adventure!

 

Hello guys, welcome back to Maryamsjoyfullife blog!

Today is such a beautiful day, and I just want to say a big THANK YOU for stopping by and checking us out. I always love sharing little snippets of our life and adventures, and this one… well, let’s just say it was one for the books!

Last week, my family and I decided to take a trip to Swan Lake in South Carolina—and wow, what a gem! We strolled through the park and were greeted by a bunch of graceful swans, both black and white. It was magical seeing them glide across the water. We even discovered a part of the park we’d never explored before, and it absolutely didn’t disappoint. Colorful flowers were in full bloom, the greenery was lush, and we enjoyed walking along a long, peaceful boardwalk. Nature was definitely showing off!

While taking it all in, we came across a map that pointed us toward Dillon Park, and guess what? My sweetman suggested we go check it out. According to the map, it was about 3 miles away—and in the spirit of adventure, we said, “Why not?”

Well… our why not turned into a full-on journey.

As we began walking, the skies decided to play a little trick on us. It started to rain, then stopped, and then just when we thought we had the direction right—boom! We got lost. Thankfully, we found our way again, but by the time we made it to Dillon Park, we were drenched, tired, and… a bit let down.

The park turned out to be more of a sports complex—with football and baseball fields and a frisbee course. Nothing bad about it, just not what we were hoping to explore after walking 3 miles. So yes, we pretty much turned right back around!

The walk back felt extra long, and honestly, I almost called a cab to pick us up. But I’m stubborn (in the best way, right?) and I powered through. At 1.6 miles out, we made a pit stop at a gas station and grabbed a cold drink. That refreshing moment gave us just the boost we needed.

Finally, when we saw our car again at Swan Lake… I can’t even describe how relieved I was. My legs were tired, but my heart? Proud. Because we did it—we walked a full 6 miles that day!

My takeaways?

• Swan Lake is absolutely beautiful and such a peaceful, scenic place to visit with your family. I highly recommend it!
• Dillon Park? Maybe skip the walk and drive there if you’re curious, especially with kids. Unless you’re training for a marathon, it’s not really worth the trek on foot.
• And most importantly—don’t let anyone (or anything, even a rainy day or sore feet) steal your joy!

Thanks again for reading and being part of my joyful little corner of the internet. Until next time…

With love,

Maryam 💛

A VIP Night with the Fireflies: Our Unforgettable Baseball Experience

 

Hello everyone!

Thank you so much for stopping by maryamsjoyfullife! I’m so glad you’re here. Today is a beautiful day, and I hope you’re feeling just as joyful and grateful as I am.

I’m so excited to share our amazing VIP experience at the AAA Fireflies Baseball Game in Columbia, South Carolina, this past Friday! 🎉⚾️

We were invited to the game by my sweet man’s stepdad, Randy, and let me tell you—it was truly a night to remember. Randy’s company treated us to a private booth, and yes, it was fully catered. From delicious food to front-row views of the game, we were spoiled in the best way possible!

When Randy first invited us, we didn’t hesitate to say yes—and I’m so glad we didn’t. The energy at the stadium was incredible, the crowd was alive with excitement, and best of all, the Fireflies won! 🏆

Our suite was air-conditioned (a lifesaver in that South Carolina heat!) and gave us a perfect view of the action. It felt so special to enjoy the game in such comfort, surrounded by good company, laughter, and a whole lot of cheering.

If you’ve never been to a Triple-A baseball game, I highly recommend checking one out in your area. The vibe is unbeatable—family-friendly, high-energy, and so much fun. Whether you’re a baseball fan or just love a good outing, it’s definitely worth it.

This whole experience reminded me how beautiful life’s simple joys can be—good food, good people, and a good game.

I’m sending you love and light, and I pray something truly wonderful happens to you this week. 💛

Watch our vlog from the experience!

Sincerely,

Maryam

Bringing Hope to the Struggling: A Call to Action from Dream Big Corp

At Dream Big Corp, our mission has always been to stand in the gap for the underserved — to be a beacon of hope for those silently suffering. Recently, we sent one of our officers to a remote location in Nigeria to get a firsthand look at the difficult economic conditions many families are facing. What we witnessed was both heartbreaking and eye-opening.

In this quiet corner of Nigeria, poverty isn’t just a word — it’s a reality that grips families each and every day. Mothers go to bed hungry so their children can eat. Fathers take on back-breaking labor with little to no return. And small business owners, against all odds, hustle daily just to survive.

Among the many stories that moved us deeply are those of Ms. Blessing Chijioke and Ms. Anita Ogbeche.

Ms. Chijioke is a mother of 7 who sells okra to feed her children. She doesn’t have the capital to purchase in bulk, so she buys okra on credit, sells it, pays back her creditors, and starts the process all over again. Every day is a struggle, but she shows up with resilience and determination.

Ms. Ogbeche, a mother of 3, has been selling fufu for 7 years — carrying a heavy tub on her head from street to street in the scorching sun, just to scrape together enough money to feed her family. Despite her years of effort, she is still barely getting by.

These are not isolated stories. These are the everyday realities of countless families in this community.

As the CEO of Dream Big Corp, my heart is heavy — but it’s also hopeful. Because I believe that with your support, we can do something about this.

We want to provide food donations, support small businesses, and help women like Ms. Chijioke and Ms. Ogbeche stand on their own feet. We want to bring dignity, hope, and real change to those who need it most.

Instead of standing on the sidelines and complaining about how bad things are, I’ve chosen to act. And I’m asking you to act with me.

Please consider partnering with us through your donation. Every contribution — no matter how small — goes directly toward helping families in desperate need.

Donate Today:

PayPal: PayPal.me/dreambigcorp

CashApp: $dreambigcorp

Let’s be part of the solution. Let’s put food on tables and hope in hearts.

Together, we can make a big difference.

Thank you, and may God bless you for your kindness and generosity.

Warmly,

Maryam Shumate 

CEO, Dream Big Corp