What I Love

"We think too much and feel too little."~~Charlie Chaplin

It's raining today and I wanted to capture this moment in time some of the things I love. It seems strange that blogging has created an almost permanent record with such a temporary medium. I love the absurdity of that concept. And I suppose it seems fitting that I begin this random list with that first love.

I love my family. We are such a potpourri of personalities, yet all the same -- at the same time. We come together at the right times, and we allow each other to be individuals too. I love how we laugh together, and even though we might not be the most effusive with our "I love yous" we still know that we do. I hope that all my family knows how much I love them, and how I would do anything for them. In the beginning, I even thought I sacrificed living in Utah for them. Now, I realize it isn't a sacrifice because it is where my family is. And nothing is a sacrifice when you are with the people you love.

I love where I live. Lately I have had to remind myself more and more of why I live here. But mostly, I have to look around myself and take in all the beauty that surrounds me. Sure, the people are quirky at best, lots of other things at worst, but in the end I love it here. I love my cul de sac and my neighbors. They are good people. And I love that my little boy knows he can turn to anyone in this neighborhood for help and he will find it.

I love that Albertsons has new shopping carts that don't steer crookedly. And they always have sanitizer wipes by the meat counter. I love that smell that comes after it has rained and that my house is secure. I love laughing so hard that I get that weird smoker's cough, because it means that I've laughed hard and I haven't been a smoker. I love my new whiteboard eraser because it doesn't come off in weird chunks when I try to erase my board.

I love the sound my phone makes when I get a text message because it means someone has thought of me at a random moment in the day. And I love sleeping in clean sheets. I love the sound of Ethan laughing because it sounds like the most musical sound in the world. Especially when I hear him from the other room. I love hearing him read something out loud. I love hearing him hum or sing along to the radio or when he exclaims, "Awesome!"

I love it when dusk finally surrenders to the night because, to me, that means it is time for family. I love falling asleep listening to my iPod now that I have new earbuds that don't tear into my ears like they're alive. (Skullcandy are amazing by the way.) I love listening to the rain, wind and thunder because it reminds me of Grandma B. She also loved Jeopardy, so I love listening to the theme song. And I love Craig Ferguson, because everything is funnier with a Scottish accent.

There is a lot in this world that can bring about a lot of fear and trepidation, but there is also a lot that can bring about much joy. It is easy to get caught up in our worries and fears. However, we should lose ourselves in all the little and big things that surround us day by day that we love. And I love the simple truth of that too.