HAPPY

I just read Mary’s list of what makes her happy, and I was inspired to make my own. So, for whatever it’s worth, this is what makes me happy, and pretty much in this order:

1. Jesus. If you don’t know why, you need to find out.

2. Mary. Because a mom could not possible ask for a better daughter.

3. My Mom. Because we have a good relationship. Some people don’t get along with their mom, and that’s sad. It’s really great when you actually LIKE the people who are most important in your life.

4. Stories. This is my all-inclusive term for movies and books. I like to take mini-vacations, and this is how I do it. I also get a kick out of seeing something creative done really well. It’s art. Which kind of leads into my next one…

5. Writing. Not that I’ve done too much of it lately, but when I do write, and it comes out good, there is no greater high. And speaking of “high”…

6. Music. All kinds, except rap and metal, and there is even some metal I can tolerate. One of the best things about my job is that I can listen to music from the time I punch in to the time I punch out. One day I was really digging the soundtrack from The Producers and one of the guys came in my office and I exclaimed, “I have the absolute best job in the whole city!!!” The Producers is awesome, but it could just as easily have been Tom Jones, or Mozart’s 40th Symphony. Or the Monkees. Go, Monkees!

7. My house. I don’t own it, but I love it. All my favorite stuff is here, and when it rains outside, I don’t get wet.

8. Cats. Obviously cats in general are the coolest creatures God has ever created, but my particular two cats are my favorite in all the world at the moment. (Though when they are wrestling at 4am, I may not say the same thing.)

9. Food! Of course I love eating delicious food, but I also enjoy cooking quite a bit. Food is so wrapped up in memories, and a defining sense of self. Can you really talk about who you are without talking about what foods you most enjoy? You ARE what you eat.

10. Free time, down time, time when I don’t have to really be anywhere or do anything in particular, and basically I can stay in my cozy little home with my cats and cook up something really delicious to eat while I am watching a favorite movie.

Man! I’m easy to please!

In the interest of keeping this list at a round number, I’m stopping at ten, though of course there are many other things that make me happy. Among them: the great feeling when the gym workout is OVER…listening to Pastor Bob on tape or TV… cool, clear weather like we’ve been having lately… the fact that I do not mind going to work each day (I stop short at saying my job makes me happy, but it is a wonderful feeling to not HATE what you have to do 8 hrs a day)… my little red music mobile…a big fat juicy refund check to arrive shortly from the IRS… and also that I recently realized that my son will not be 16 forever! Praise God! Everything is always changing, and that makes me happy. Life is full of ups and downs, but in general, the trend is UPWARDS.