This little kitten is a bit of “Kawaii,” because, you know, just looking at cute things can help us feel more positive about each other. OMGoodness. If this doesn’t do it, nothing will!
Something is in the air pushes me to focus on DELIGHT this year.
April is National Month of Hope. Mothers In Crisis, Inc. founded National Month of Hope to help spread hope around the world. I plan to share a quote about hope on the Mondays of April.
As a reminder of what delight can do for us, here’s a bit of inspiration from NPR.
Here’s a few other things that delighted me this week:
Sparked memories: The Cubs hit several home runs this weekend. I laughed as Contraras skipped like a little boy into home plate. That sparked an old memory of a viral Prancercize YouTube video. Several of my sisters and I took Mom to visit her sister who was then living in New England. As we watched this video, we couldn’t help but see ourselves pretending to be horses when were were all kids. The big kids cantering the little kids around on our backs. The little kids shouting out commands to trot, walk, gallop. Bonita began to Prancercize around our motel room. Soon we were all laughing so hard we almost wet our pants.
The memory tickled me so much, I had to phone Bonita and ask her if she remembered. She did with great vividness. Her memories sparked mine. It was one of the most delightful phone calls I’ve had in a long time.
Jim’s and John’s Big Adventure: Last spring I got a call from a husband of someone who I did a feature article about. He and his friend wanted to write their memoir. Their story is such a delight. Right out of high school, they traveled across country in a junked Jeep they refurbished. No cell phones, no credit or debit cards, no ATMs, no digital cameras. Every time I open the document to add my edits, I smile.
Old photos: Everyone is growing up way faster than I’m growing old. It seems like yesterday when this little one’s favorite video game was “Cooking Mama,” and she loved to help with breakfast. This year, she’ll graduate from junior high and be on to high school, leaving just one straggler in grade school next year. If only I could hold them tight enough to stop time. Just for a little while. Every so often, when I open my iPad, I see a message, “This day in history,” a little slide show of my life delights me every time.
I hope you find delight this week.
I know it makes me feel better to jot down a few things and remind myself how much delight I have in my life.
I live in a state that has 42% of its population with at least one dose of vaccine. Once we reach 50%, we’ll enter Phase 5, “Illinois Restored.” I hope I haven’t forgotten how to live in the pre-pandemic world.
In the meantime, several states see surges. We need 80% of people with antibodies to be at head immunity.
In the meantime, don’t forget to practice the five Ws:
- Wear a mask;
- Watch your distance,
- Wash your hands, and
- Work together to overcome hesitancy.
- And Win this war.
It’s okay to wear your mask, even if those around you are not. Even if you’re vaccinated, wearing a mask shows we’re all in this together.
How about you? What absolutely filled you with delight this week? Please share. Chances are you will delight me!