1. Two sleepy boys in tiny pajamas. My kids are young and are still in the phase where their antics, though frustrating at times, are generally hilarious and make it difficult to keep it cool. Charlie is 1 and has the most beautiful gap-toothed smile. Jonah is 3 and is beginning to use his almost-correct vocabulary to create stories for our entertainment. These boys have sweet laughs, terrible melt-downs, and ever-changing capabilities.
2. A desk near creative, passionate people. My Mondays are good. In fact, most of my days are good, in general. I’m one of those lucky people who loves my job. And it’s not even that I love the individual tasks that I do (actually, I really could be doing anything); it’s that I enjoy my coworkers and believe in what my organization is continually working toward. As it’s been said, we do mission differently.
3. Finding joy through laughter. Whether it is hiding under a coworker’s desk, or enjoying a retelling of a weekend story, I’m always looking to laugh as often as appropriately possible. Even when things are going badly, I often feel that the only way to move forward is to laugh at just how badly it’s going. There’s no better pick-me-up than a genuine chortle here and there.
4. Gift giving. Sometimes I feel like this one is more for me than for others. If you saw the manifestation of joy that occurs in my car while driving away from such events, you might agree with me. Gift giving is ultimately a small way to make sure people in my life are continually reminded of their value to me: I see you and am so thankful that you’ve enriched my life with your presence. Maybe those Twizzlers I left at your door aren’t communicating exactly what I intended, so now you know what they meant.
5. A fountain ever flowing. I don’t think I’ve met someone as creative as my husband, Mark. He has mountains of new ideas every day, and that’s not even counting ones needed for his job as a graphic designer. One can’t begin to bore others when one is a creative genius … I’m thankful I get to live with someone who, despite sometimes humming Baby Beluga on repeat, is inspiring and determined.