David Mcmahon challenges us from his most excellent blog to answer the question, "What makes us happy?" Seems simple enough, doesn't it?
The first thing and only thing that came to my mind was my oldest son. He has been there for me through some of the toughest times I will ever face. He has shouldered burdens that most men his age don't even consider. But to see him laugh, to know he is content, makes me content as well.
But, I had to wrack my brain for other things that make me happy. The past two years have been spent in shades of gray. It still doesn't seem appropriate to feel happy, truly, about anything, other than my oldest son's well-being. Deep down, however, I know that is not how my lost child would have it be. He lived his life to the fullest, trying his best to make every second a memory. So, I will try to think of some things that I really do enjoy.
I love a brand new mystery novel, especially one from my list of favorite authors, the cover tempting me, tantalizing me, to lose myself in the pages within.
I love my first cup of coffee in the morning, with the forbidden half and half, with two teaspoons of sugar, (yes, I like a little coffee with my cream and sugar, thank you!) and that very first sip, oh, its just glorious.
Sitting on the front porch in the evening with neighbors and friends, talking about nothing, laughing and picking at one another, making total fools of ourselves, just because we can, always leaves me feeling warm inside, a part of something larger and so much more than myself.
Walking down to the pier, and striking up a conversation with a fisherman, just as the sun is setting, watching the ducks swimming peacefully about, wondering what creatures lurk just beneath the water's surface, talking about bait and lures, and fishing lines, takes me into a whole new world. I like it.
Watching my cats do their cat things, and talking to them like they were children, "I told you to stay out of the street, dammit! Get back in the yard, right now!!" Do I really believe they understand me? Sometimes, when they turn there back to me, tail in the air, ears back, blatantly ignoring me, I believe they do.
Little things make me happy. The big things seem never to live up to our expectations. The vacations, the holidays, the evening's out, all seem to fall short somehow. Its those simple everyday things that bring me joy.
Of course, if Vincent D'onofrio showed up one night wearing nothing but a smile, I would be ecstatic, but that would be spontaneous, as I don't see that happening any time soon.
There's other things that make me happy, but always little things. That's what life really is. The little things.
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Now I have a challenge for you. Guess this young lady's age. I bet you don't even come close. She took this picture herself. I see a photographer in the making.
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