Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Life is sweet.

Week 19 of the Wednesday Lists.
There are so many things to be glad about. I remember getting gas with a friend one time, several years ago now. I got out with her to keep her company at the pump, and I noticed that her gas cap was attached to the car by a little stringish thing. I exclaimed about this and how great it was because it won't ever get lost or fall off the top of the car and roll under and cause you to get down on your hands and knees to recover it. (Obviously, this had happened to me.) Jenny burst out laughing and said, "Oh, I love you. This. This is exactly what I love about you. You get excited about the most ordinary things." I remember feeling delighted by her words. But, also, I remember wondering, "Doesn't everybody?"

They should, you know. Life really is so sweet.



Little Joys


reading


good shoes


balloons


dusk


play-filled laughter


jumping


cloud watching


* Life Is Good bumper stickers * finding long lost favorite books * chocolate chip banana bread * all day lollipops * the way kids laugh at the word poop * hammocks * wicker baskets on vintage bikes * the sound of a bike bell * a personal letter in the mail box * summer lightening storms * the unexpectedly beautiful harmony frogs and crickets can make * a text to say, "I love you." * wind * honeysuckle sipping * lunch dates * a fresh box of crayons * kid-made crafts * tossing a Frisbee * fresh flowers * home-grown tomatoes *

What are your little joys today, my friends?

34 comments:

Gigi Thibodeau said...

You are fabulous. I've been having a horrible day, and you just gave me my first smile. Thanks, friend.

It reminds me of a note I got yesterday from one of my former students who recently moved out to Indiana for grad school, which is where Todd and I lived when we were in grad school. She was complaining and complaining to me about Bloomington thunderstorms and tornado warnings, but I wrote back and said, "Yeah, but when the storm clears and the sun starts to set, there are always millions of fireflies, right?"

Well, she wrote back a couple of hours later and said, "I'm glad you mentioned the fireflies! The storm cleared a little while ago and we went outside to watch the sunset, then, sure enough, there were the fireflies, and they were amazing."

You, Relyn, are the kind of person who will always focus on good things like the fireflies. We need more people who do this. (Not to mention the fact that a good old fashioned thunderstorm can be a thing of beauty, as long as one is safe and dry inside!)

xoxo Gigi

Unknown said...

Your list made me smile.

Here are some of my favorites.

Bananas with peanut butter

the smell of books in the library or bookstore

eating ice cream with a three year old on a hot, summer day. (Who cares if it melts all over the car?)

the sound of dogs snoring

a surprise phone call

singing songs

beth said...

of course....jumping :)
my all time favorite....as long as i'm just taking the photo !

and my word verification is "nicess"

as in, I think you are the nicess person ever :)

Rosaria Williams said...

What a great attitude, and a fabolous list too. I'll linger with a cup of coffee,one of my sweet moments.

Mrs. E said...

RED SHOES!! Your list just made my good day even better!!

KTW said...

So MANY little things to treasure! Love your list and I'll add to it:
*the smell of an old book*
*a favorite old song when you least expect it*
*a handwritten love note from your child*
*a field of wildflowers*

GailO said...

My grandson is just the age where he thinks the word "poop" is hysterical!...."fart" is pretty funny for him too:) His sense of humour makes me laugh...

I have three over ripe banannas on my counter...I'm thinking I'll make chocolate chip bananna bread!

ELK said...

your list and photos made me happy ...a wonderful group of joy .. as always

Lubna said...

Even a personal email, instead of just a forward, brightens my day.

Unknown said...

Your list is so clear, I can picture each and every one Relyn! It's funny, on the way back from my long walk at the beach today I started thinking about all the things I loved--it was so simple and yet satisfying and I thought, yes, these are exactly what I love. Thank you for the inspiration!

xo Mary Jo

Hindsfeet said...

I loved this, Relyn.....thanks for the lift...as always...

Unknown said...

My little joy is reading of yours, Relyn! An American friend once left his petrol cap dangling from its stringy thing as his car went through the carwash!

Gayle said...

Reading your list is a joy to me today!

Jeanne said...

Love and hugs
Love you

Patti said...

Your list is lovely, as always Relyn! It is what I needed. Fireflies would be on my list and the smell of suntan lotion, and an excellent book to sink down into on a quintessential summer day! Have a wonderful day!

Kirsten Steen said...

Ah yes...home-grown tomatoes. My partner will eat only these. No storebought! He actually will pick them out of a salad. Do you plant them? Have missed you! Will be back sooner.
K.

Marilyn Miller said...

Your list is magical. It causes me to think of life's joys. I am tired today and playing a being a nurse; so your list helped me to think of other more joyful thoughts, like fireflies (which I wish we had) and sunshine (which I also wish we had). Hummingbirds, yes!

S. Etole said...

the beauty of nature and the Lady Slippers that are beginning to bloom ...

GraceGal said...

Oh, I love this post! Little joys, hmmmm, reading definitely but it has to be a real book, none of those electronic books for me. Then there's chic flicks, the smell of sheets fresh off the line, a game of canasta with my granddaughter, colorful fabrics, sunshine and blue skies, butterflies......the list is endless. I do love little things!

Amy said...

Getting to meet fabulous people I may have gone my whole life never knowing if it wasn't for the wonder the of the internet!

Heart2Heart said...

Relyn,

I love watching clouds. One day I woke up and literally smiled because I thought of God and how much He knew I loved clouds.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Jessica said...

Relyn, friend-
My days are full of such little goodness these days. I can't even find the words to wrap around the deep happiness I am feeling. Perhaps my silence in this land is reflective of the delight I feel. I know that if I sat down with you and cup of iced tea and you would be able to create the most perfect word to describe it. Oh how I wish there wasn't a million miles between us!

Dutchbaby said...

knowing that my son never ever fails to say "thank you" * buying flowers at the Flower Mart * having my husband bring me coffee on Sunday mornings while I blog * eating one of my daughter's culinary wonders * looking forward to a vacation *

Rita said...

Relyn, your attitude about life is so refreshing! Sometimes when I am down, I love to read your blog and be refreshed anew! I love you!

Tracy said...

Oh, this was so lovely, Relyn! Just what I needed after a really difficult week so far. My greatest JOY right now is that my father is still alive. He has had two heart attacks since last week and other complications. He is holding steady though. We may need to travel home though... we await news day. I have written a bit at my blog. Life, the gift of life is the greatest JOY! ((HUGS))

spread your wings said...

what a fantastic list of joys.
just today my little joys have been:
seeing a bunny in the clouds
having lunch with my daughter
and the taste of summer in the BLT sandwich she made me
....
visiting you ; )

* said...

Our joys today included a puppy play date, popsicles, a Father's day lunch, melting Andes Mints in my purse, 2 amazing thrift store finds, and leg hugs from my 3 yr old son.

Little joys that are big.

Lennye said...

Relyn,
Your post has inspired me to stop focusing on the things that are robbing me of happiness and concentrate on the things I love. (Funny the things that rob me of happiness would all be attainable with A LOT of work).

Also, the music is so calming and peaceful, I love it.

Delena said...

As always loved your list and it inspired me to make my own. Have a wonderful weekend.

Jennifer Richardson said...

what a juicy list.....letting it soak in and nudge at the joy inside me until my eyes are seeing the fabulous stitching in my sandals and I'm really digging the bubbles in my drink....feeling them tumbling over each other in my mouth like happy kids on a trampoline.
I just love your heart:)
-Jennifer

Rhonda said...

I love your list and wonderful pictures! Oh the little things in life that can bring so much pleasure if we just stop and smell the roses! I will do just that today. Beautiful post!

Elizabeth Halt said...

Everybody doesn't?! I agree, life really is sweet.

Let's see: the anticipation of a good book, a puppy's happy sigh, a soft fleece blanket, a cool breeze, a blue glass with raindrops, your blog posts ..

susanna said...

Ohh, I like that little story about you and the gas cap. And YES, that stringish thing IS a great, helpful little invention. :)

My little joys tonight - an evening of blog-hopping. I haven't been able to do that in months, it seems. Certainly not in the last three weeks so I'm enjoying seeing what y'all are up to these days.

Jaime said...

You are the best list writer there ever was.
I am just smiling.
You are one of my first little joys this morning.
xo

Oldies, but Goodies