Laughter and a Million Joys to Find

Sometimes, the hard plastic bench at a fast food joint with free Wi-Fi and sweet coffee feels like a soft bed… a peaceful retreat.

I headed out early this morning for some hours without little people, and I'm chuckling ironic at the flood of lunch-hour teenagers that surround me here.  Seems I can't escape, but as I listen to the laughter, I'm spurred back to life and I remember myself at that age, how easy it was to find things to be happy about, when the weight of the world was crushing around me and yet, I carried a tin lunch box and wore plaid golf pants just because it made me smile, and time spent with a handful of friends could cause uproarious laughter.  I wonder how long it's been since I laughed that hard. 

I wonder when I became a grown-up.

And in the cackle of this social experiment otherwise known as lunch break, when I can breathe in long and deep the aroma of French fries without any tiny hands on me, that I nearly want to crack a wide smile and remember that there are a million sources of joy to be had… that one only has to be aware.

I catalog… those million joys…those thousand gifts…and count them, one by one, with Ann.

-- Errands and writing time all by myself this morning, a chance to breathe

-- Getting a doctor's appointment at the last minute

-- A few more things to try on the way to wellness

-- Having health insurance

-- Beautiful sunny weather that excites me for spring

-- Lung-fuls of clean air

-- A fun new photo app on my phone

-- A lazy SuperBowl gathering at moms

-- Sweet potatoes

-- The rest of the day off, feeling well enough to catch up on housework

-- Toddler kisses, in high supply these days

-- Open windows, breezy days

-- Finishing Genesis in my in-depth study, moving on to Exodus

-- My 'Keep Calm and Love Mercy' bag from Relevant, with proceeds to The Mercy House

-- My blog reader, a ready source for inspiration and encouragement always at the ready, always ready to fill me up

-- Mt. McLaughlin, snow-capped in my rearview, blinding and beautiful

-- Comfort in cast-offs

-- A tax refund to come, this week

-- Free Wi-fi

-- Things I'm free to release from my life, and more to come on that, dear readers

-- Laughing teenagers, an inspiration to smile

-- The longing that returns me to the Word, over and over to fill my cup and then some

-- Losing track of time