Do you remember that Peanuts' song about happiness? The one about tying shoes and holding hands for the very first time? Even now--with the passage of nearly four decades since I first heard that song--I can still sing along (in tune). And it still makes me, well, happy.
In the event you may not remember, I'll share a few of my favorite lines from the song (humming along as I do)...
Happiness is--finding a pencil,
pizza with sausage,telling the time.
Happiness is--learning to whistle,
tying your shoe for the very first time.
Happiness is--playing the drum in your own school band,
and happiness is walking hand in hand.
Happiness is--two kinds of ice cream,
knowing a secret,
climbing a tree.
Happiness is five different crayons,setting him free...
Honestly, I could keep going, sharing verse after verse simply because each one makes me smile. Why, you ask? Well, because for a bunch of little kids, the Peanuts Gang was really smart. They got the fact that happiness isn't the big, expensive things in life. They got the fact that happiness happens in the simplest of moments--if you let it.
So I'm gonna take a page from their book (or, rather, a note from their precious song) and share some of what means happiness to me...
*Happiness is a hug from my daughters.
*Happiness is seeing a new cover.
*Happiness is my husband's smile.
*Happiness is a warm chocolate chip cookie with a glass of cold milk.
*Happiness is hearing my friend's voice on the other end of the phone.
*Happiness is an extra salty hot pretzel at the ballpark.
*Happiness is the sound of my nieces' squeals.
*Happiness is a memory of my grandparents.
*Happiness is snuggling into a corner of the couch and reading for hours.
See? Makes you smile, doesn't it?
So now it's your turn. Tell us one, two, five, ten of your happy (s).
Laura, I love your happy list! And I remember that Peanuts' song very well, too. (Now it's going to be stuck in my head all day!) Okay, my happy short-list goes something like this:
ReplyDelete**Feeling my baby kick in my belly! That never fails to make me smile.
**Celebrating another anniversary with Ed, although I celebrate every day with him and constantly think, "How did I meet this great guy?"
**A gray rainy day when I can stay home and write.
**Curling up on the bed with the cats and hearing them purr.
**Hitting "enter" and sending off another book to my agents and editor, knowing I poured my heart and soul into every page.
Oh, yeah, and reading posts like this to start my day! Thanks, Laura. :-)
Cheers,
Susan
Happiness is finding out that people laughed in the right places in your latest book and cried when appropriate. Seeing my husband come through the door and say "Hey, that smells delicious!" even if we're just having turkey burgers. Seeing my kids smile after having been sad. All that and more. Maggie
ReplyDeleteMy big family
ReplyDeleteHubby for being around all these many years
My health
A great church that serves the hurting and needy
A full life
The site and sound of the ocean
ReplyDeleteThe purring of a cat on my lap
The taste of chocolate
A hug from someone I love
Soft, comfy pajamas
A good book to,curl up with and lose myself in
Thanks for a great post!
OH!
ReplyDelete# First Tuesdays and the thrill of new adventures to go on
# Smoothing the hair from the Doll's forehead when Iw wake her up in the morning
# The smell of cinnamon and sugar when I make cinnamon rolls
# The sweet spot in the bed when you snuggle in and now it's a moment before you drift off
# The skittering of the dogs' claws on the kitchen heading to the door when they hear the bus drop off the Doll so they can wait for her to open the door and come in
- Being with family
ReplyDelete- Gathering with friends at reader conventions
- Going to "deadline" lunch with my Laura
- First Tuesday of the month for all the new books yet to read
- A good morning!
For me, happiness is...
ReplyDelete-Someone loving your story as much as you do.
-Brownies. Nuff said.
-Finding a book to read that I LOVE.
-Watching the waves crash on the shore.
-Hearing my son laugh.
-Listening to my story telling husband.
Great post.
Love everyone's "happy things." Keep smiling!
ReplyDelete