What makes us happy

We all know what happiness is and what it feels like to be happy but have you ever stopped to think about the things that make you feel that way. While my husband is golfing (something that makes him happy) I sat on the front porch with Brutus (my dog) and thought about what makes me happy and if anyone else ever stops to think about what does the same for them. Of course there are some obvious things that overlap with most people but somethings are unique to us all.
Happiness can come in all shapes, sizes and colors or maybe in no form at all. The love of good friends and family comes at the top of my list. To be able to pick up the phone and have an hour long conversation about nothing and everything at the same time with someone that will listen to your bitch session and take your side no matter if they truely agree or not. To have parents who sometimes overstep their boundries into your life but do it only because they care and want the very best for you. To open the front door after a long day of work to a four legged friend who is always happy to see you and never complains about hearing about your day at work. A bowl of your favorite ice cream that with every bite takes you back to your childhood and floods you with memories that can never be taken away. Those pajama pants that you had for years but everytime you put them on the fit no matter if you've put on or taken 10 pounds. A husband that even when you're not around says nice things about you without thinking twice and meaning every word, then those things getting back to you and remembering why you married him in the first place. The smile of a child, watching them grow and seeing them become a new person everyday. Knowing that when you pull in their driveway or when they see you on the porch that they are excited to see you and don't have to be cause they're not yours but they still just steal your heart with every smile, hug and kiss. Friends that in bad times are right by your side but the rest of the time can piss you off at the drop of a hat. A favorite movie on tv that you've seen 20 times but you still have to watch it when it's on. Waking up in the morning and not wanting to get out of bed because your husband is still in it and just five more minutes of listening to him snore is all you really want. Seeing great friends even if you just saw them yesterday and the day before that, knowing that they are just as happy to see you. Being alive and healthy another day, maybe not rich, maybe not famous, maybe not even that important but to a handful of people but alive.
These may all seem like random things and alot of time I take them for granted but they make me happy, no matter how big or small they are they keep me going and make me, me. Take a few minutes to think about what makes you happy and thank that person or cherish that ice cream and the memories it brings back. The smallest things in life make up the biggest part of you.