What makes you happy, makes you rich!

MUSINGS ON MIDLIFE'S MISADVENTURES:

Love, laughter, family, friends, hugs, kisses, sleep, health and good memories. All cost nothing AND are free, free, free. You need only make room for them in your life.

Over the years, I have always counted my blessings. I have a*l*w*a*y*s lead a charmed life. I have tried to express gratitude, but it was more out of a sense of "I should", rather than a true sense of REAL APPRECIATION. However, as I age, I have come to learn that appreciation.  What makes me happy now? Small things... that are really BIG things, such as...

Anticipating and relishing a visit from friends I haven't seen in three years.

Receiving an unexpected Sunday night phone call from my "adult" child, for no reason.

Big hugs that last at least seven seconds. A good friend once told me that it wasn't a REAL hug unless it lasted that long, so I try to make mine last those SEVEN seconds.

Glorious weather that allowed me to enjoy our fall days to their utmost, by going for long hikes and walks with Vimy and friends.

Getting my Croc back, that I had lost while hiking on the Mi'Miq Trail.

Skyping with a friend across the ocean, while chatting over a glass of merlot.

Being fined the LESSER of two fines for speeding.  Believe you me, that made me SO, SO grateful.

Comforting a crying child in the schoolyard, by bending over to hug him; he wrapping  his arms   around me and hugging me right back, hard!

Jiminy Cricket starting on a -35 Celsius morning, with no wind chill! -35!!!!!  And no block heater!

Being healthy enough to shovel snow, and not keel over.

Giving blood in seven minutes, ( a record for me as I am a slow bleeder!), even though the ENTIRE process took two hours.  Drink lots of water before giving blood; it works wonders.

Having my eighty-two year old mother in my life; she who cares, is concerned and is STILL mothering her sixty-two year old, single daughter.

Knowing God DID NOT WANT ME JUST YET, on Monday after school.  (THIS IS A BIG THING, PERIOD!!!)  I  SO could have been a goner right there and then, when I failed to make a stop at the end of a street, because I confused my brakes and my clutch.  I drove right across Riverside Drive,  m-i-s-s-i-n-g being T-Boned by a car on my right, by a few seconds. Thankfully NO car was coming from the other direction. I could have been THE filling in a sandwich, come to think of it.  It simply WAS NOT my time to leave this earth. Good thing, because I still have a lot of friggin' LIVING to do!!! (Pardon my language.)

Understanding why my dear father used to say, "I don't want anything for Christmas.  I have all I want and need."

Bearing witness to the heartfelt words of a little six year old Syrian girl, explaining the following to me and her classmates, in basic English.  I had read a story in class "Why We Remember", near Remembrance Day. Many children wanted to share what war meant to them.  Amna, with gestures, said "I be Syria, boom, boom, house gone. We go Turquia, come Canada. I am happy".  Then she smiled shyly.

Need I say more ONE more thing that makes me happy?  Being Canadian! 

Wishing all of you, my readers, family and friends, a Joyful and Peaceful Christmas.  À tous mes lecteurs, ma famille et mes amis, je vous souhaite un très Joyeux Noël, comblé de paix et de bonheur.
I also wish you ALL the things that money CAN'T buy, in 2017.