What little things in life give you a big smile?
The sound of my dog’s ears flapping always, always makes me smile, even when it wakes up the baby. My daughter, when she wakes up, grins from ear to ear. Everything she does gives me a big smile, every sound, every look. She’s magic.
Love notes from my husband, he leaves them for me everywhere, all the time. As well the flowers he gets me, particularly the roses that look like flames. Kisses. A nice, hot shower. Magnolia trees in bloom against the blue sky. Rainy days. The farmer’s market. Live music anywhere, whether it’s in a subway or at a concert hall or in a park or at a music festival. Hummingbirds. Kids laughing. Coffee. Memes.
My cousin Maggie’s laugh. My mother-in-law marveling at her granddaughter. Being silly in my garage with my best friends. Dancing. Cookbooks. Texting with my aunt about everything and anything all day. Her cooking. My uncle’s joyful optimism. Hugs. Hope greeting me when I get home, like I’ve been gone for months. Witnessing an act of kindness. FaceTimes with my family on the other side of the country. Conversations with my siblings. Group chats with friends all over the world.
Massage. A bath. Hot tea. Journaling.
Cuddling with Hope.
