Realizing That Simple Pleasures Are The Best Pleasures

Simple Pleasures…and things that matter as the clock ticks down to another birthday.


fountain pens.

being wrapped in a heated, flannel blanket right after giving birth.

building my nest (if you have to ask, you wouldnt understand)

waking up on a stormy morning and realizing you dont have to get up.

accepting growing older and realizing that what comes with it are small wisdoms.

learning to love your body. (trying!!!)

those last few seconds of blissful drowsiness before you drift off to sleep.

the moment when your heart flip flops at hearing his voice on the phone.

the quiet of christmas eve.

the solemnity and pageantry of midnight mass.

the memory of being a carefree child safe in the cocoon of your parent’s home.

the memory of being awakened in the middle of the night and carried to the kitchen window to see hills of beautiful, freshly fallen snow

hot, summer nights sitting on the patio listening to crickets.

riding around at night with the top down and music blaring.

waiting for the school closings to be posted after a big snowfall and then yelling with excitement when you hear your school announced.

the tug of a baby’s mouth and that wonderful "let down" feeling you get when you nurse.

cooking.

christmas lights all over the hospital when scott and patrick were born.

special memories.

aceing a hard project.

graduation.

getting a raise.

knowing you did your best and most especially when you didnt want to do it in the first place.

buying your dream car.

the smell of new leather.

that "pinch me" feeling when something you thought would never happen…..does.

the feeling of excitement as you step off the plane for the first time in a foreign city.

knowing that your parents, no matter how flawed, did the best they could do.

forgiveness...no matter what

puppies.

getting up very early in the summer before anyone else does and watching the sun rise.

a warm kitty.

the words of an e.e. cummings poem.

my old yearbooks.

high school friends.

wisps of baby hair…soft and silky saved in an envelope.

thinking you cant let go and finding out, that you can.

new! anything!

that sudden rush of realization you feel when you know he loves you!

wind howling outside on a cold, winter night when inside all is warm and cozy.

sunlight dancing on the ocean.

watching people you love open presents on christmas morning.

crashing into a wave.

your mother’s hands, old and wrinkled, but soft and gentle, stroking yours.

quiet snow-filled nights rocking my babies to sleep.

a dozen red roses at each baby’s birth.

coming home…..from anywhere.

cuddling in bed on saturday mornings watching cartoons.

mothers day breakfasts in bed…mostly inedible, but never forgotten.

friday nights, high school football games, crisp, autumn air.

being "tucked in" when i was a child.

my dad wrapping a warm, heated towel around my chest with vicks to soothe my chest cold.

thanksgiving dinner.

accepting people the way they are.

knowing that you have raised decent people.

small bodies whose names are josh and jake.
and as time passed lucas, andrew and liam.

cold sheets on a hot, summer night.

star gazing.

accepting the inevitable, no matter what it might be.

trust

that feeling you get when you realize how really wonderful a friend can be.

walking at dusk and peeking into houses as you walk to see how the "jones’s" live.

long, slow kisses from someone who knows how.

4th of july and that unmistakable feeling of belonging we all get on that day.

the slow acceptance that everything and everyone doesnt have to be perfect...especially myself.