Raspberry Iced M

I live in the United States…in the South.

The real South.

And if it isn’t already a known fact, I’ll be clear – we do things different down here.

Our diets. The way we dress. Our accents and vocabulary.

A “happy” in the South is a tiny gift – given “just because” – that makes the receiver feel warm and fuzzy. We don’t just call them presents. We name them something related to the result we’re after.

So today I thought I’d break up the monotony of my usual overly analytical content to list a few things that I think make a day better.

1. Getting to sleep in and/or take a nap. I’ve been without my Vyvanse for two days which is why this is the first bullet point.
2. Coffee that is made for you and brought to you without your having to ask.
3. The chills that come with good worship music. The kind that bring you to tears because the lyrics and voices catch your soul at exactly the right moment.
4. When a t.v. series that you’ve been engrossed in finally comes to a close and the ending is a perfect cocktail of satisfaction and relief.
5. Finishing a tube of chapstick. A reminder that you didn’t lose it.
6. Putting on the perfect pair of jeans.
7. A fresh set of perfectly filed, perfectly glued nails. The ones that make you feel like the best kind of girly.
8. A clean house. The kind of clean where you are actually sore from a hard day’s work.
9. Google Memories. “On this day seven years ago…” And with the click of a button you’re right back to parenting toddlers and robbing Peter to pay Paul. The good ole days.
10. From a vice perspective, a crisp, cold Dr. Pepper.
11. Climbing into bed with fresh sheets and just-shaved legs.
12. A clear face. Perimenopause skin is a real pain.
13. Completing your daily task list on the clock. To be able to finish your work day on a high note, without worrying that responsibilities will carry over to tomorrow.
14. A compliment. Any compliment, literally. That you look younger than your actual age. That you have neat handwriting. That the meal you prepared really hit the spot. A little pick-me-up to push you out of survival mode and into the next obligation.
15. Orange cat videos. I don’t know why they make me laugh so hard.
16. An unexpected text from a friend who wants nothing except to say hello.
17. A hug from your son. It probably goes without saying that hugs make a mom feel warm, fuzzy, accepted, and successful.
18. Planning. At least for those who love to plan things – vacations, Christmas decor and themes therein, home remodels, birthday parties, anniversary trips – sometimes planning – especially when the Vyvanse is Vyvanse-ing – is even more satisfying than the execution.
19. Getting to pee after you’ve held it for a really long time. I write that – here and now – because I really have to pee.
20. The perfect back crack. What can I say? The need for an aligned spine increases as you approach 40.

I hope you all find a little “happy” during your day today.