Happiness is....

I went to Vermont this weekend...again! Who can get enough of spending time with my darling grandchild, Maia...I left on Friday and came home tonight. Actually, the Eliason's, my daughter-in-law's family, were here from Utah for the week, and I wanted to catch a visit with them--they are just the best people. How fortunate is my son to--not only have married Kristeen, but also to have inherited her entire family who love him unconditionally. We went to Shelbourne Farm where the 4 little cousins saw 7 brand new piglets, learned how to milk a goat, petted some cows and spent some joyful hours together. Later, we all went to the Vermont State Fair about 40 minutes North of Burlington. They went on some of the rides, won some prizes, petted more cows and had a grand time. I love watching little kids together...and these are 4 very darling little children, Madison, Alex, Maia and Lane. Today, we went to the Farmer's Market on Church Street in Burlington...they splashed in the fountain, we shopped around; then I took off to do a couple of errands and headed home.

I also spent a couple of hours last night with my niece Courtney, who is on the waitstaff at Eagle Camp for the summer, up on the Grand Isle of Lake Champlain. My sisters and I dropped her off 6 weeks ago, and now she seems like a different person...so poised, confident, making decisions about her future. What an experience this has been for her at Eagle Camp! She has worked 7 days a week, with only 1 day off so far, has made lifelong friends, is making great money that she doesn't have time to do anything with, other than to bank it...she has had a wonderful experience...I am so happy for her. It was so fun listening to her excitement, realizing how she has grown up just in these past few weeks...she's the best.

When I arrived in Plymouth, I came into my house and immediately opened the back porch door to let in some air. Soon, it started pouring rain and as I stood on the porch and looked out towards the ocean, the smell of the salt water and air was overwhelming...it almost felt as if I was on the beach. It was fresh, salty, moist, foggy, damp, wet...all of that, and I wanted to bottle it...it was so great. It made me realize that I am happy...in spite of what is going on. Maybe I am compartmentalizing or partitioning or whatever (denial??), but really, I am not dwelling on my situation (all right, maybe sometimes), and am doing the things I have always done that bring me joy....and that is just everyday living--spending time with my family, extended family, and friends, lots of laughing and again realizing that joy, for me, is simplicity...