Things that make me smile…

 I was thinking about the things that make me smile and I decided to share them with everyone.

GOD
– The sun, clouds, birds, moon & stars – when I see these things, I
think about the LORD and know I was made in his image and everything is
SO much bigger than me. I am humbled and grateful for my time here.

My
lovely wife – her inviting eyes, smile & touch, sweet voice and the
sound of her laugh always make me beam. I’m so thankful to have her.
She’s always been there for me and I really appreciate it.

My
children/grandchildren/all children – When I hear “Daddy’s home”, “Hi
Dad” “Grandpa”, I just melt inside. I’m so pleased that I’m able to be
DAD/grandpa. It’s a special title and I take it very seriously. I LOVE
all children and when I see them I just want to have fun. It makes me
feel fantastic.

Dinner – not that I’m obsessed with food but
when I come home from work and the house smells great with a delightful
dinner that my wife prepared and we’re all going to sit down and enjoy
it together, I’m in paradise. I savor those moments.

Music – I
LOVE music and I’m gratified that I have a nice collection and system
to enjoy it on. When I’m sitting on the couch, listening to a piece of
music, it washes over me and I feel like I’m in the middle of it and
I’m very joyful.

Television – I’m not a big TV person but when
the whole family is together watching our shows (Alias, Amazing Race,
Lost, Survivor, 24, Veronica Mars, WWE), those are one of the high
points of my day. When combined with dinner (see above), this makes for
a great day.

Our swimming pool – I love swimming and in the
summer, my son & I reside in the pool. There’s something about
water, floating around, especially after working all day that is SO
tranquil and revitalizing. There’s nothing that comes close to that
feeling. On Saturdays I have pool parties when I invite my friends to
join me for a dip and those are unique times.

My friends –
Since I’ve basically lived in the same area my whole life, I have some
friends that I’ve known for 20-30 years or more. I’ve traveled to
Amsterdam with them, helped them move, they’ve helped me move, been
through all sorts of experiences with them (graduation, unemployment,
marriage, birth, divorce, death, suicide). They are a very
non-judgmental and loyal group and I wouldn’t trade any of them. I love
them all dearly and I’m thankful to call them friends.

My
parties – twice a year I have a big BBQ in the forest preserves when I
get ALL of my friends together to enjoy some food, Frisbee and fun
together. I’ve been doing this for 20+ years. It started with just a
few of us and I was the only one married as I wedded my wife when I was
relatively young (22) but over the years as my friends have gotten
married, had kids, it’s gotten larger. Last time we had 70 people
there, a good ¼ of them children. It’s a very special time.

OK – that’s it for now. Enough rambling from me. These are the things that make me smile.

Cheers and a happy Easter to all.

Just remember to keep smiling.
-B-
🙂