This is Happy

Saturday evening Justin went to a friend’s house and Dad took Seth to the pool to work on his stroke. That left Cooper and Anabelle with Mom. A mom who is behind on a deadline and really needs to be sitting at her computer. We had already conqured three basketball games that day so I had not worked at all. But I felt bad everyone was off doing something fun and the two littles were left behind.

We dropped Justin at his friends and I then asked my littles what they wanted to do for an hour. Eating dinner was not an option because steaks were marinated and ready for the charcoal when we got home. The quick response was to get an ice cream and play on the indoor playground at McDonald’s. Off we went.

Two strawberry shakes and I sat at a table as they ran back and forth from shake to slide. I knew it might ruin their dinner, but sometimes rules were meant to be broken. During one huge slurp, they stood looking at each other and moaned over their delicious ice cream. Then Anabelle looked at me with a small drop of pink shake clinging to her bottom lip. “This is happy,” and she sighed with contentment.

Aaahhhh. This is happy. I grinned at her and she ran off. This is happy. I know those moments. I treasure them.

Moments like the time my husband and I sat on a park bench during my lunch break from work. It was windy and sunny. We were newlyweds, and I leaned my back into his chest and enjoyed his arms wrapped around me. We didn’t talk, just enjoyed the time. That is happy.

Memories such as this when we first moved to Kansas and the kids were making it their home. Fun memories like this. This is happy.  The moment when I drop my kids off at school and drive from the parking lot sipping coffee from my favorite glass mug in the calm silence. That is happy.

The moment my kids come crashing through the door after school dropping backpacks and talking 100 mph about their days’ adventures. That is happy.

The moment I sit in my cushy chair in front of a roaring fire to watch a DVR recording with my husband, and the kids are tucked soundly in bed. That is happy.

The moment I walk up my driveway from a jog where I pushed myself to keep going when I wanted to stop. Even with shaky muscles and labored breath, my mind is rejuvenated. That is happy.

The moment when the words on the page of the Bible seem to become 3D and leap at me because God is speaking directly to my heart. That is happy.

The moment sitting on my back patio staring at the trees rustling in the distance, gazing over the countryside with the sun just starting to rise on a nice fall day. That is happy.

The moment I walk into my bathroom to find a yellow sticky note with two girl stick figures holding hands that reads, “I love mom” in Anabelle’s 6 year old penmanship. That is happy.

The moment I jump up from my seat on the bleachers to yell for one of my boys making a touchdown or scoring a basket. That is happy.

The moment I stand in our backyard with my husband’s arms wrapped around me from behind as we stare at the back of our house making plans for our remodel, and our future. That is happy.

The moment sitting in a McDonald’s playland as I listen to my 6 year old daughter savor her ice cream and declare, “This is happy” and knowing it is only the beginning of her happy’s.

Yes, this is happy.

What is your happy?

You can read more about the author, Kimberly Wright, HERE or over on her blog, where this was originally posted!