Pondering His Pondering

So my nephew Michael lives with me. He is the joy of my life. I know I am not his mother in the traditional sense, and I never will have that privilege, but I love him as if he were. I have watched him grow and learn and every single day that makes me grow and learn new things about myself as well.

Right now he is in a phase of questioning many things. It is amazing to watch. He is trying to figure out the world and his place in it, not easy tasks. Honestly at 35 years old I feel I am just starting to find my own answers to those kinds of questions. It is hard to know that he has a long and hard road in front of him, but gratifying to watch it begin.

This week he and I have been talking a lot about happiness. What makes a person happy? What should make a person happy? I am not sure there are any "right" or "wrong" answers to those questions. It has given me pause, though, as I seek to decide what are the things that make ME happy. Some answers I have come up:

• Him. Michael is my happiness. No question as to the top spot he has in that regard!
• Friends. I have found some true and amazing ones!
• Family. They are the foundation of my life and I am so blessed by them.
• Intelligence. It sounds dorky but things that are thoughtful and intelligent make me happy, they remind me life is not stupid, even though it seems that way sometimes.
• Art. Life is better when it is beautiful.
• Music. Probably my favorite form of art!
• Books - I am so lucky to be a librarian and to be part of a family (Michael included) that loves reading. It is so gratifying to be able to enter new worlds and explore new things any time
• Travel - I can't do this as much these days but I adore seeing the world...down the street or across the pond!
• Love - this may seem strange as I am the most single person you probably know, but it is true. Seeing true love and knowing it exists makes life worthwhile. AND learning that love is not just about romance, but that I love as much (maybe more) than many people in relationships!

I am sure there are more, but these are the ones I am absolutely sure of! Also there are some "smaller" things that make me happy:

• weeds that are really flowers
• sunsets and sunrises
• babies
• school supplies
• a new journal
• a great TV show or movie
• smiles and laughs
• feeling accomplished at the end of the day
• singing...LOUD

Again...there are more. I just decided it was important for me to stop and know what those things that make ME happy are as I try to help him find the things that will (I pray!) make him happy in his life!