It’s the Little Things
It’s funny, but I’ve always been a kid at heart….I may grow older but I refuse to grow up. The funny part is that I am about to become a parent myself, and everyone who knows me seems to think this aspect of my personality makes me a shoo-in for Mommyness. I hope that’s true.
But one other thing I hope I never lose is the ability to appreciate the little things. My life feels much more enriched by them, and I feel they are just as important as the big things. I can be in a completely foul mood and spot a puppy bounding away in a yard somewhere and it’s like an adrenaline injection or something….I literally just *feel* better. There must be something to this, too….why else would there be web sites like cuteoverload.com?
In thinking about this, I realized that it is one thing I hope to pass on to my daughter….although children are the masters of appreciating the little things….chances are *she* will be teaching *me*. And that is just pretty darn awesome.
With all this in mind, I decided to make just a small list of simple pleasures that never fail to boost my spirit. I’d love it if people who read this would contribute. I hope whoever does read this takes a little something away from it. I give you:
Mary’s list of little things that make me smile:
* when ladybugs land on me
* hearing a song on the radio that you never hear on the radio
* small children drinking from cups…the way they are so serious about it and make that little ‘ahhhh’ sound between sips
* the glossy patches on hair reflecting sunlight
* those little flecks of color you see when you look deep into someone’s eyes
* the look people get on their faces *right* before they crack up
* the sheer exuberance of dogs….especially when they try to pull their owners over on their leashes just so they can say hi
* when kitty cats rub up against your ankles
* when I go to see my horses and they whinny excitedly when they spot me…especially when they come running up like “THERE you are!”
*penguins. doesn’t matter what context.
*hummingbirds
* the smell of fresh-cut grass
* crickets
* frogs (especially when they ribbit. Dunno what it is about that sound, but it’s impossible for me to hear it and not smile)
*sunflowers
* teddy bear dancing (if you don’t know what this is, you’re missing out)
*mail that isn’t bills
* carousels
* when babies and small children giggle
* walking barefoot on squishy carpet
* blowing dandelions (come on, when’s the last time *you* did it?)
* clothes fresh from the dryer (been known to pile ’em on the bed and flop into them)
* finding cool seashells on the beach
* fireflies (haven’t seen one in years)
* roller coasters
* blowing bubbles
* rubber duckies
* that first spoonful of ice cream
* movie theater popcorn
* stuffed animals
* the smell of rain
* coyotes calling (I’m weird, what can I say)
* Wallace and Gromit
* ducks quacking (alright, should we just say ‘all of nature’ and leave it at that?) 😉
* the smell of crayons
*dusk
OK, clearly this could go on for some time, but you get the idea. I love the little things, and I hope I always do. I hope all of you do, too.
And I simply can’t wait to find out how much more enriched my life will be once I meet my own little one. (though some of those kicks don’t feel so little) 😛