Every forgettable Wednesday

One of the lessons cancer taught us was to pay closer attention. To life. To time ticking away. To simple pleasures, such as, sound of water rushing over large boulders; smell of sunbaked pine needles; strain of muscles and sense of accomplishment; another hike together, even as cancer was stealing a little more of my husband’s life each day.

Sept 2013 in Wyoming’s Tetons – nine years into a terminal cancer diagnosis

Tim Urban writes this:

Happiness is the joy you find on hundreds of forgettable Wednesdays.

Forgettable Wednesdays speak to me of the mundane tasks and daily requirements for keeping a home running, a family fed, friendships strengthened, for maintaining good self-care.

Things, like, throwing in a load of laundry; writing an encouraging note on paper (gasp) and dropping it into a mailbox; brewing a cup of tea for a friend; aroma of pumpkin scones coming out of the oven; enjoying a good read; welcoming family home for the night; setting a table with candlelight.

If we can find joy in these mundane things, if we can imagine what life would be without them, and if that can cause us to appreciate everything that seems commonplace, then I think we’re on to something.

What would it be like, for example, without the fully-stocked grocery stores we’re accustomed to? Without taste buds and the sense of smell? What if we had no family to welcome home, no reason to ever set a table with candlelight?

I spent some time in Europe with Youth With A Mission before I was married. Regular showers and laundry facilities weren’t available. We took sponge baths, did our laundry by hand, and hung it out on a balcony to dry. To this day, every time I get to shower or do laundry, quiet thanksgiving goes up for these everyday, normally-unnoticed luxuries.

At the moment, I’m babysitting Chloe, one of my grand-dogs, and writing long hours near a pool in Tucson. (Yes, in Arizona. Yes, in August.)

Chloe doesn’t know she’s a small dog

The pool has a lovely water feature, and if I close my eyes, I’m on a trail in the Colorado Rockies near the music of a waterfall.

The gifts I don’t want to take for granted on this particular non-eventful day are numerous:

Being able to get outdoors

Shade

Companionable dog sitting at my feet

Mug of Good Earth’s Sweet and Spicy tea

Freedom

Gentle breeze wafting through this covered patio area

Interesting writing project with deadline

Splash of water feature

Text from girlfriend checking in on me

Energy and good health

People in my life I can count on, who would drop what they’re doing, if needed

I think the key to joy and happiness is this: Noticing the gifts God places in front of us, opening and exclaiming over them, being grateful for them.

Because who knows how much longer we’ll be able to hike trails, perform simple household chores, read a book, smell pumpkin pie spices, prepare meals for the people we love.

Tim Urban’s comment is worth repeating:

Happiness is the joy you find on hundreds of forgettable Wednesdays.

Which begs the question: What simple-pleasure gift have you not yet opened and expressed gratitude for?

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