The Velvet Primer

Wouldn't life be simple if we came with an instruction manual. Here's what makes me happy

• A good conversation  - my thoughts are valued not ridiculed
• Laughing - on my bed as we text stupid boy jokes back and forth 
• Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter - examples of great political strength and human kindness 
• My granddaughter - there's nothing that makes me think of her that doesn't instantly lift any weight of the world from my mind
• A good war, sports or historical movie - Flags of Our Fathers, We are Marshall, Empire of the Sun
• Rooting for the underdog - Trayvon Martin, immigrants, 
• Flirting - the thrill of the chase is electrifying
• Being flirted with - 'cause everyone needs validation
• That distinct smell of a man - comforting 
• The color blue - a night blue sky winding its way to darkness
• My class of '87 - shared culture and friendship. It's like not having to start from scratch. Instant friendship - just add.... 
• Tequila shots - well, house, top shelf. I don't always care. 
• Motown - any song where the group wore matching outfits and had choreographed dance moves and the music told a story
• The blue lights at an airport - they make the world disappear into just me or just me and you
• A ballet - it pulls my back straight and I feel I am in stage myself
• Any children's program at a school - a child dressed up s Washington or a turkey
• An old fashioned fish fry - outside under the trees in late fall or early spring with grease popping, children giggling, pop tops cracking

These are the things that make a day. A day that ends with that gently upturned half smile and slowly escaping sigh of joy when my eyes flutter closed.