This was written in January 2009.... I will need to do an update now that it is fifteen years and many changes later!!
From birth to now… here is my list of 100 things that mean happiness to me!
Happiness is…
… a clean diaper
… a full tummy
… lots of toys for me to play with
… having a loving mommy and daddy
… swinging high in the air on a warm, sunny day
… learning to tie my shoes
… being tickled
… learning to ride a 2-wheeled bicycle
… climbing a tree with my friends
… the feel of squishy mud beneath my feet after a spring rain
… having a birthday party with homemade cake
… making cookies with my mom
… traveling with my family and seeing many places around the country
… getting an A on my report card
… winning a spelling bee
… eating a fluffernutter sandwich [marshmallow crème and peanut butter]
… sleeping overnight with my girl friends
… Christmas time with all of my cousins at my grandma & grandpa’s house
… the euphoric feeling of gliding down the slipper hill on my sled
… swimming in the cool lake on a hot summer day
… jumping off the raft into the lake
… doing well at my piano recital
… laughing with my friends over silly things
… listening to the crickets loudly chirping every night
… making s’mores by the campfire
… mommy and daddy saying they are proud of me
… graduating from 8th grade
… learning to crochet
… singing in the choir
… reading a good book
… learning to drive
… driving the car alone for the first time
… not having to read my report aloud in class
… learning to square dance
… traveling on a plane to Barbados for my first international trip
… falling in love for the first time
… having a job so that I can buy some of my own things
… getting a part in the school play
… getting asked to the prom
… graduating from high school
… going away to college
… finally not being known as the younger sister of one of my siblings
… having supportive, caring parents
… getting an A on my report card
… learning to make it on my own
… living with five wonderful roommates
… playing in the snow covered streets after a blizzard has passed through
… graduating from college
… making a life for myself in a new state
… falling in love, again
… going to the beach boardwalk
… hearing a good joke followed by a wonderful belly laugh
… waking up each day knowing that I can start fresh
… enjoying my career
… getting married
… experiencing the butterfly movements of a baby in the womb
… giving birth to a beautiful baby girl
… and doing it over a second time three years later
… seeing the innocent expressions of joy on my child’s face
… listening to children giggle
… tickling my children
… singing to my children
… the sweet scent of a baby after a bath
… holding my children close in my arms
… a starry night with a moon so bright
… the smell of the freshly mown grass
… playing at the beach
… definitely not when my child throws a tantrum
… my child bringing home an A on her report card
… seeing myself in my children
… reading stories at bedtime to my children
… enjoying my 2nd and 3rd careers
… buying my first home
… the sounds of nature on a clear summer night when the motorcycle is merely coasting down the hill of the backroads near the coast
… seeing my children succeed
… definitely not having my husband die too young
… knowing that God is on my side
… living my faith that all will be well
… falling in love, again
… a picnic in the park
… getting married for a 2nd time
… experiencing the beauty of the Alaska coast
… snuggling into warm blankets on a cold winter night
… seeing my child fall in love
… hearing my children say, “I love you, mom.”
… holding my newborn twin granddaughters for the very first time
… the feel of the warm sun on my face
… making blankets for others
… having the dentist tell me that I have no cavities
… the feelings of security when sitting on the couch with my husband, holding hands
… a nice hot shower on a cool morning
… seeing a beautiful double rainbow on a cloudy day
… having friends to share my life with
… staring at the flickering flames of fire in the fireplace
… napping on a quiet Sunday afternoon
… talking to my mom as my friend
… having someone to come home to
… hearing my husband say, “I love you”
… having a faith strong enough to lean on in hard times and enjoy in the good times
… the feeling that all is well with my world
Update April 2024.... I will add more things to this list...
Happiness is also...
... having wonderful neighbors by my side (true for pre and post Roseville)
... being financially secure
... being able to give to others in small but meaningful ways - and doing so anonymously when possible
... successfully transplanting myself to a new area
... being able to watch my grandchildren grow up and thrive
... living close enough to my children (and grandchildren) that I can see them more often
... traveling the world
... falling in love.... yet again
... the warmth of the sun on my face and the coolness of the grass under my feet
... watching the squirrels, bunnies, ducks, geese, turkeys and other birds around my neighborhood
... still being able to have a good belly laugh from time to time
... sitting in my porch swing on a quiet afternoon
... the smell of bbq on a summer day
... knowing that no matter what happens in life, I will be fine
... finally understanding that "I am enough", that I do not have to live up to anyone elses' expectations, only my own
... feeling content with my life and my love
I could go on and on - Happiness and gratitude can go hand in hand... and I have much to be grateful for! What does your "Happiness Top 100" look like!
This song, “Happiness” is from the show “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”
CHARLIE BROWN: HAPPINESS IS FINDING A PENCIL.
SNOOPY: PIZZA WITH SAUSAGE
LINUS: TELLING THE TIME.
SCHROEDER: HAPPINESS IS LEARNING TO WHISTLE.
LINUS: TYING YOUR SHOE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.
SALLY: HAPPINESS IS PLAYING THE DRUM IN YOUR OWN SCHOOL BAND.
CHARLIE BROWN: AND HAPPINESS IS WALKING HAND IN HAND. HAPPINESS IS TWO KINDS OF ICE CREAM.
LUCY: KNOWING A SECRET.
SCHROEDER: CLIMBING A TREE.
CHARLIE BROWN: HAPPINESS IS FIVE DIFFERENT CRAYONS.
SCHROEDER: CATCHING A FIREFLY.
SETTING HIM FREE.
CHARLIE BROWN: HAPPINESS IS BEING ALONE EVERY NOW AND THEN.
ALL: AND HAPPINESS IS COMING HOME AGAIN.
CHARLIE BROWN: HAPPINESS IS MORNING AND EVENING,
DAY TIME AND NIGHT TIME TOO.
FOR HAPPINESS IS ANYONE AND ANYTHING AT ALL
THAT'S LOVED BY YOU.
LINUS: HAPPINESS IS HAVING A SISTER.
LUCY: SHARING A SANDWICH.
LUCY AND LINUS: GETTING ALONG.
ALL: HAPPINESS IS SINGING TOGETHER WHEN DAY IS THROUGH,
AND HAPPINESS IS THOSE WHO SING WITH YOU.
HAPPINESS IS MORNING AND EVENING,
DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME TOO.
CHARLIE BROWN: FOR HAPPINESS IS ANYONE AND ANYTHING AT ALL
THAT'S LOVED BY YOU.