Ten Things That Make Me Happy

 Last night I was trying to get to sleep in this hot weather, having an upstairs bedroom that is huge with an air vent so small I believe it was made for a Barbie Doll House and feeling thankful for the tiny bit of cool breeze my central air gives me up there.  I was praying that my central air unit would survive just another two months, since it was “born” way back in 1989 – the year I graduated from high school, a past era of glam rock, Aqua Net, Madonna was popular, Mark Wahlberg was just the little brother of some Boston boys in a band called New Kids on the Block, we had never heard of an X-Box, no one had a home computer or a cellphone, stamps were only 25 cents, the year the first episode of the Simpsons was aired, Yugo cars went bankrupt, the Berlin Wall came down, Ted Bundy was executed, and scientists pronounced it the warmest year on record due to the Greenhouse Effect.  I also found myself with my typical Sunday night insomnia.  Flipping through the channels, I found a TV show on the Bravo network called “Ten Things That Make Me Happy”, featuring Kyle Richards of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fame and some other man who made art, pottery, etc, forgive me whoever you are, I don’t recall your name.  In other words these people were rich beyond what I could ever imagine.  This actually made ME happy, because I was positive this was going to help me to see these folks as less materialistic, as they shared what made them happy were simple things like watching the sunset, playing fetch with the dog, or seeing a baby giggle.  Let me tell you… I WAS SADLY DISAPPOINTED!!  To my shock and dismay, this was the most materialistic bunch of b.s. I have ever seen in my life.  I know who I am, so I will admit, I like some of my “material things”, however, I would never ever categorize things, material things, chandeliers, Chanel Handbags, a pair of vintage white jeans that cost more than one of my paychecks, as things that make me happy.  I have struggled in the past few years (and on and off all of my life) with feeling “poor”, feeling like less of a person because like many people, I live paycheck to paycheck, and rely on the kindness and help of others for many things in my life.  Suddenly I realized that I am not less of a person.  What I lack in material possessions is filled with other things, things that are priceless.  And perhaps my lack of wealth allows me to see the world in a different way, to appreciate those things that are “priceless.”  Those things that we cannot measure with a price tag, those things that are not an empty status symbol, but those which show depth of who we are as human beings. 

So here is my OWN LIST of ten things that make me happy:

1.              Laughing with my children.  2/3rds of you (my sons) can now appreciate my grown up sense of humor, and also have the talent of bantering back and forth with me. You have inherited a sarcastic sense of humor from those people who raised you.  It makes me so happy to interact with you, that I have learned to laugh at myself even when you tease me. Also my daughter, who is not quite 12, you have the ability to come up with the goofiest faces, stories which also brings on genuine silly laughter.  In fact the sound of you giggling at something that I might not even “get” because I am too old, still makes me happy.

2.              My dog. Because she is a 100 pound big baby.  She will growl viciously at strangers, the whole time backing up behind me.  She will put her paw right on top of my hand and give me “puppy dog” eyes when she wants attention, or perhaps thinks I need attention. 

3.              My friends – you all know who you are.  You have seen me through my brightest days and darkest hours.  You have given me honesty, without judgment.  You have even loved me enough to “agree to disagree”, when we have had different viewpoints about certain things.  You have helped raise my children, ran to my rescue at a moment’s notice, and made me laugh when all I wanted to do was cry.  You have been my sisters from another mister, brothers from another mother.  You have brought me souvenirs from vacations in far away places, and even those places close to home, and always something small with HUGE meaning behind it.  You have almost gotten me kicked out of restaurants and bars.  You have defended my honor, taken my side when no one in their right mind would.  You have given me hugs and told me you loved me and wiped away my tears.  You have told me that “everything is going to be ok”, no matter how much I felt it wouldn’t be.  You have made me laugh a lot, cry a little, shown me tough love and shown me compassion.  You have introduced me to new foods, new places, new music, and even knew shoes.  You have made me feel like I belong in a world where I often feel alone.

4.              My parents.  Even though my father passed away a few years ago, my mother is still with me.  You have both given me a childhood of wonderful memories in a warm and loving home.  You have supported me and also run to my rescue more times than I have counted.  You have been there for me when I have been in trouble, and broken rules that I should have followed, and picked up the pieces with me, without judging me.  You have fed me, clothed me, cheered me on, and made sure I had working appliances and safe vehicles to drive.  You nurtured my intelligence and kindness and made me the person I am today.

5.              My sisters and brothers.  Though I have been closer with some of you than others, you have all been there for me and shared so many memories that maybe our dysfunctional family could only understand.  You were my first friends, second parents, and I am so proud of all of you.

6.              My nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, etc.  My extended family has also shown me so much love and shared so many good times with me.  You have given me places to go, and been guests in my home.  You have understood that if you stay at my house, you should not expect a big breakfast in the morning, but never complained about it!  Some of you have been like second children to me, and some like second parents, and some of you built in friends.

7.              The sun on my face and the wind in my hair.  Nothing makes me happier than a beautiful sunshiny, breezy day.  It must be the vitamin D, or the fact that we only get a few months of good weather in Wisconsin.

8.              The library or any other place where I am surrounded by books.  This must be my “inner geek”, but I love a good book.  It makes me happy to read but so sad to get to the end of every book I read because it leaves me wanting to read more!!

9.              Flowers – especially Stargazer lilies, which I have now learned to grow in my own flower garden.  They are not only beautiful, but they have this scent that is better than anything I have ever smelled in my life, almost intoxicating!

10.          And last but not least my husband.  You are the hardest working man I know.  You have shown me patience and love when I did not deserve it.  You have cared for me when I have been sick.  You have made a child with me, and helped me raise children.  You have opened up and grown up with me.  You have held my hand and told me you would take care of me when I was afraid.  You have encouraged me.  You have told me I was beautiful on days when I clearly knew I was not, and you meant it.  You have gone from making me “mix tapes” to “mix cd’s” to serenading me outside of the bedroom window with a boom box.  You have taken me on surprise adventures and been open to new experiences as well as opening me up to some myself.  You have been able to hold a conversation about religion, politics, and reality TV.  You say you can’t stand the Housewives or the Kardashians, but I secretly think you like those shows, or you would not watch them with me.  You create the goofiest inside jokes with me.  You show me love and calm me down when I need it. You are one of the people I can tolerate when I am intolerable of the human race.  You truly define “we’ll make it work” – to infinity!