It Is the Small Pleasures that Make Life So Joyous

Even with some craziness in my life, I can keep moving forward because of the small pleasures in my life. I love a hot peppermint tea that settles my stomach and spirit. I am thankful for the birds that come to our feeder and the squirrels who try their best to get the food. I marvel at the beauty of both the birds and the squirrel, astonished at God’s great creative abilities. I love the end of a good murder mystery. Finally, knowing the culprit and realizing that they will be suitably punished satisfies my sense of good and evil, although sometimes the answers of who is good and evil can be blurred.

I love a walk on the Silver Comet Trail, and when the bikers and other walkers smile at me and say hello, I feel seen and valued. I repay the compliment, ensuring people know I am so glad to share this piece of the world with them at this exact time. We just returned from Beaufort, South Carolina, about five hours away, because I needed to visit the ocean for a couple of days, and I was not disappointed. Thank you, Lord, for the pleasure of sitting by the ocean and realizing how small my troubles are!

Today my oldest grandchild turned 41 years old. I was 31 years old when he was born, and at the time, I felt overwhelmed with four adopted teenagers, a seven-year-old, and now another mouth to feed on one salary. But my love for that little guy made him so welcome, and today, he loves traveling like me. He calls me to ask for advice. I let him know how proud I am of him.

I am preparing to complete the last two papers of this semester, with next Friday as the last day of the semester. This means I have three courses and a project to complete my second master’s degree. I plan to take two courses in the summer and two in the Fall to graduate in December 2024. I am tired, but I am 72 years old, so it is to be expected that I am questioning my sanity as I sit here reading for two papers, a 3-4 essay, and a 10-12 page paper.

I have also been dealing with digestive issues that have made me miss a lot of classes and my church work. I can’t plan outings, but I am glad to be alive and that the problem isn’t terminal. I hope to return to church this Sunday, fingers crossed.

So, although life isn’t as great as I would like, and physical health issues sometimes make life harder to live, I am thankful to God for the small pleasures I experience with my five senses each day, including the love of a good man. I am glad to have a glass, not worrying if it is half full or half empty. I am just happy and pleased to breathe today and look forward to the future. I know that tomorrow is not promised to me, but if I am blessed to live it, I will keep doing activities like going to college that keep my mind sharp and taking long walks that keep my body as healthy as I can control.