Simple Pleasures

I was just thinking today about things that make me smile. What is that for you? I've been reading some great books lately about how to obtain balance in life and one of the questions for this week is what are the simple things in life that just make you smile or warm your heart. I realized there are so many.

Sometimes it's the sound of the birds singing in my back yard when I let Turbo out in the morning. Other times, it's the way Turbo vies for attention if I'm busy with something. He is just like a 2-year-old. I also get that feeling when I see a student reach a goal, pass a milestone, or realize that they CAN do it.

Some of the best pleasures in my life, although I wouldn't say they are at all simple, are the children in my life. My niece has three beautiful kids and they are all unique and special. They are a big reason why I wished I lived in Colorado and not North Carolina. Every time I visit it seems they have grown a foot and gotten more mature. And every time I visit, I come home with yet another lesson learned "out of the mouths of babes." Let me share a bit of that with you today.

Danielle is the oldest. She is 11 going on 30, you know that routine! It's the age where some days the sweet little girl disappears and you realize that this one will soon be a teenager. She has the eye rolling of a teenager perfected. She has discovered boys, and boys have discovered her! She is also one of the best big sisters I have ever seen. Megan and Junior love her and she is so patient with them. She's a great lesson in patience with children, at a very young age. Danielle is also my shopping buddy from time to time. The time we've spent has given us some special time together that I will cherish forever. Danielle has taught me the value of a sense of humor. She has a great one and one I always enjoy!


And then we have Megan, who just turned 7. When she was 2, I fondly called her our demon child. She's a beautiful little girl and you know how people are with beautiful children. Every time someone would stop and say "she's so pretty," out of Megan's mouth in a VERY loud voice would come "DON'T TALK TO ME!" Because I didn't live in Colorado when she was born, it took a little time for Megan and I to develop a relationship. When she was 5, Megan blossomed. She became this very sweet little girl, full of life and so very caring about those around her. We developed a routine when I stayed at their house last year. After her bath, she would bring her brush and the "tangle spray," sit on my bed, and I would brush her hair while we talked about our day. Megan worries about the fact that I live alone and "it's only you and the dog at your house." She always gives me extra hugs because, as she puts it, "then when you go home, you won't be lonely." She touches my heart in ways no child has before. She is a great reminder of the importance of family and connections.



Junior is ALL boy, full of energy, and at five years old, full of a sense of humor like you can't imagine. He is simply a funny child and makes me laugh with his sense of humor. And while he's all boy, he has a tender spot for the females in his life, something I hope he always keeps. From Junior, I learned the importance of loyalty. I took him shopping once. I found the greatest Bronco sweatsuit in his size. I thought it would make a perfect thing for this all boy sports fan. I held it up, so proud of myself, and said "hey, how about this?!" His face got very serious as he said "Aunt Kathy, MY Daddy is a Raiders fan." And so is he. That loyalty to what he believes and thinks will take him far in life. It is something that is a good reminder for all of us.

I am so blessed to have these kids in my life. They are indeed a part of the things that make my life good and make me smile. These are the relationships I hope will carry on through all of life because they are so important.