It doesn't take much

Recently, someone mentioned that it seems that the little things in life are the things that get me excited.

It's true, it doesn't take much to get me to smile.  Here's a few:

*When the moon is full, on a crisp clear night, I find myself pausing to look at it.  It's not like it won't happen again, but it's a nice surprise when I'm not expecting it.  And I'll grab someone else, and make them look too.

*Finding the perfect pen.  For the thousandth time.

*That serendipitous moment between adults, as you look at each other over the heads of the kids, and exchange an amused look at what the kids just did.

*The little grunting noises Max makes because he's happy to see me, wiggling his giant girth, reminding me he's still a puppy.

*Remembering someone's birthday.  On time.

*Hearing from an old friend.  (Bienvenidos, Crystal~)

*Hugs.  Little ones, big ones...

*Snuggling in the morning, making everyone late for school.

*A good hair day.

*Scruffy beards.  Because nothing will make the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up like that against my skin.  I'm ticklish.  It makes me laugh.

*Warm cookies.  As in <stage whisper> "Nolan, ask your Mom if she's gonna bake some cookies..." (because they see me in the kitchen with the big bowl)

*Sleepily rolling over and helping Audrey climb into my bed.  And as I reach to pat her back, bump into Mr W's hand beating me to it.

*Suddenly being the first in line in a crowded supermarket that only has two cashiers per 100 people, because <eureka!> someone opened up a new lane.

*Getting in the car for a long day of running from here to there, and hearing all my favorites.  Without resorting to the iPod.

<grinning>

Get back to me in about ten days, when the holiday madness will be in full swing.  I bet I won't be finding much to smile about then, as I battle some blue-haired snowbird for the primo parking spot at the mall.   

No, sir, an RV will not fit in "compact" parking.

Yup, as I rescue Audrey from the potentially limb-crushing effects of poorly wielded shopping carts, I think I'll be doing a bit more grimacing than grinning.