The picture of happiness...Meagan, Manu, Dan, Gillian, Lorna

Inspired by this old Nob listing some of the many things that make me happy, I recently invited family and friends to contribute a list of things that made them happy. After yesterday's dire happenings, I'm more than happy to present the following responses...

Joanne Gendron

Just so happy I made the list with John and Mike

Dennis Carroll

Being in touch with both of you makes us happy.  

Getting your get well card after I told you about Carol's hip replacement made us happy.  

We tell one another every day how lucky we are to have one another and Matt. 

And smiles in the mirror remind me of my happiness at being alive.

Vic SmithGood music and world peace.·         A world where our children and grandchildren will thrive.·         A profound redistribution of wealth and power throughout the world resulting in the end of hunger.·         An effective non-nuclear treaty and WMD with all nations participating.·         Cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and genetically based disease.·         More positive and effective roles for the UN including coordination of pandemic responses.·         End of chemical pollution.·         Reduction of our carbon footprint.·         A life without physical pain.

Robin BoisvertIf you had asked me to do this experiment before the pandemic the majority of my list, would have included others, and I have included those.  They have not happened in awhile, the memory makes me smile.  Which led me down a funny little path.  Thousands of smile memories. 

Choosing ten from the running list, a bit difficult.  A tiny edge of a huge picture.  

I decided to list the very first, as this could have gone on all night and into the next day.  Just before I started typing, I woke up early just as the sun came up.   I checked the black eyed peas I left soaking, they look great.  Smile.
Five lobster boats with their green and red lights on went by heading out of the harbor. A big smile. ( a favorite site)  The champagne bottle on the island from last night, smile. Shadows on the white walls from the sun, smile.

My list of things that make me smile

Walking down the stairs and seeing Brian in his usual morning spot with a cup of joe
Scent of coffee meeting me at the stair landing
The shine on the stove after I cleaned it
dinner with friends, lunch with friends, friends
coming into the house after a long walk in the winter, warm and peace greeting you
spying a pod of dolphins
Brunch on Dear Prudence, Lunch on Dear Prudence, Cocktails on Dear Prudence
Rocking a baby
music
setting a pretty table 
music
first top down ride
walking, walking again
the scent of pine and salt air
Holding hands -together like peanut butter and jelly
that last goodnight after making love

Our family, every time they call, face time, zoom, 

What I miss most that makes me smile, is the sound of tires crunching in the drive. The slam of the car door.  Company!  Company in all shapes and sizes makes me smile.

The list could roll off the table, head out the door and down the drive.  

Thanks for the awareness nudge.  Did I mention chick-a-dees?  The fox that is so healthy helping me with the squirrel issue?  Fried clams?  I love fried clams.  The littlest in our family Eleanor?  When Ben our grandson calls ?


Ginny Bromagethe health of all my children, grandchildren, extended family and friends (as well as my health)the effort we’ve all made to allow family times during COVID--both live (distanced) or on Zoomthat my children are still employed and able to provide for their familiesscreeching grandchildren, running to greet me (distanced and masked) to give me an air hugthe warm spring, summer, fall (and occasional winter) days this year allowing me nourishing bike ridesloyal friends who’ve gathered together in socially distanced activities to keep me sane the past 10 monthsall the essential workers who’ve made the effort to keep our lives feeling “normal” the researchers and scientists who’ve worked tirelessly to develop COVID vaccines to speed our return to normalcymy comfortable lifestyle when so many others are sufferinga new president heading to the White House on January 20

Dave McNamaraMy “kids”.  My grandchildren. The feeling of skates on the ice;  sound of skates on the ice;  gliding on the ice; stopping on the ice; flying on the ice; the smell of the ice;  a pass; a shot;  Sunrise. Walking in the rain - a cool rain. Walking in the snow.  Jumping into mounds of soft, fresh, snow.  Making snow angels.  Skiing Mammoth from top to bottom when I can count the number of people on less than hand. Self-reflection;  Not self-reflecting. Seeing nobody;   An interesting person. True friends. Starting a backpacking trip; Reaching a mountain pass; Reaching a campsite;  Ending a backpacking trip Starting a bread; Eating fresh bread. Making any yeast-based dough, seeing it come to life and then eating it (croissants, pizzas, breads, brioche, etc…)  Cooking a good meal; Eating the meal; Not having to clean up. Porter -- my current canine family member. Porter -- the beer.    The memories of Kona, Bailey, Bear, Kodi, Melanie (all of my canine family members since I was 12). The sounds of only nature. Music. Having a proper pint with my kids. Being woken up in the middle of the night. Woodworking

Eileen McDargh

Running in the morning when the moon is still up and watching the sunrise

Watching the sunset

Feeding my birds

Sitting outside by my fire pit

Snuggling with my bill

Planting my garden

Being with my grandchildren

Spending time with Lorna Riley. And yes when I get to see you, you to Dan

Being quiet

Doing a four minute plank

Hearing my bill laugh

Doing random acts of kindness

When my work makes a contribution.

When I’m finally writing.

    
Meagan Riley Grant*Getting to the other side of a hard thing. (*I think sometimes happiness is confused with comfort but I have found when I am truly my "happiest" is when I have done something hard and gotten to the other side. I could just leave it at this one answer.) 
Connecting with someone I haven't heard from in a long time. 
Looking at pictures - reliving memories.End of the day walk with Andrew and the dogs around our little "island."Working on a project I like and am excited about bringing to life. Excellent coffee in an excellent cup. Blue skies and 78 degrees. Playing board games with the family. Seeing new things. Learning new things. Meeting new people.SerendipitySleepingThe fact no one in my family has gotten covid. Being on the water.Eating good food. (Especially after being really hungry - getting to the other side of a hard thing...) Traveling.Laughing. VacationsChristmasNew YearsWorking in slippers. Great skin care products.Living in Marin and in California, and in the United States. Hearing about my kids plans, hopes and dreams and thoughts on the world. Getting into a great new book or movie or series..  Trump leaving office.People talking about race relations, sexual harassment and equal pay in a new significant way.

Lorna RileyObviously, this is in no particular order, but a stream of consciousness about what makes me happy. I could go on and on. Really, infinitely. There’s plenty that’s not here, but this is my little world now so it reflects that.   Remy. He’s an old soul who catches my breath and fills my heart with awe. He is channeling something unworldly.Nico. His zest for life, quick smile, big heart, and knowing what he wants. He will go far in life.Mama Gillian who has turned her life into magic, made me so proud, and has saved me over and over again.Meagan, my first born who made my heart infinitely bigger and taught me how far love could go.Dan, who I love with all my heart and want to hang out with every day because he’s considerate, thoughtful, smart, funny, interesting, and our time is way too short.Dan making me breakfast on Sunday mornings.Sendings texts to Dan addressed to My Luv.My children’s and grandchildren’s laughter.Stretching with Dan in the AM to get the day started right.Bike riding with Dan, swapping titles and stories about the books we listen to.Breathing. Deeply.  Blue skies, 74 degrees, and wind on my face.Succulents, for their dazzling variety and resilience with no life support.A new car smell.Avery, for the beautiful, talented young woman she has become. I love zooming with her—she lights up the room.  Benjamin for his sweet soul, centeredness, doing well in tough times, and gratitude.Friends of all sorts who keep me connected to the world.Setting off in the new car on a road adventure with bikes in the back.Picnics with Dan.Eating whatever I want, when I want.Writing new on-line programs and growing my companies with energetic people half my age and big visions.Being more easy-going. Doesn’t take much to get me excited, which may drive a few people nuts.Knowing what I like and don’t like. Easier to say yes or no.Being open to new experiences no matter how daffy.Not having to wear contacts anymore. My eyes got better from all those greens.Eating healthy in spite of the extra work.A good night’s sleep. Then I love everyone.My new iPhone that connects me to the world.Doing projects with my sister, talking with her for hours about this and that.My new hard drive so that my computer flies like a 747.Technology—the good parts that make our lives easier, not the parts that are destroying it.Determined people all pulling to save Democracy and restore decency.Looking back at the bravery I conjured up to become a public speaker.Few regrets over my life choices. They all lead me to where I am now, infinitely wiser for it.Accomplishments that I never thought were in my cards, let alone my radar.My gardens, watching them grow and bloom.Browsing nurseries to marvel at such a wide variety of beautiful plants.Longwood gardens checked on the bucket list. One gasping sight after another, not to mention 1918 restaurant.Meals with friends where everyone brings something.Having found joy and meaning in my life, work, and relationships.Being with Manu, her family, and the Parodis traveling in Italy with them.Cruises to anywhere.Cooking when I’m in the mood.Cliff for his love of food and willingness to share gorgeous creations with us.Lancôme and Ester Lauder. Need I say more?Lipstick.Donations to worthwhile charities.Sharing our vast space with others.Walking--when I’m done with it.Yoga, when I’m finished.A hot bath when I’m cold.Reconnecting with old friends, picking up the pieces as if no time as passed
When I see people wearing masks over their noses.The future. It looks bright and I want to be a part of it.