Catherine Corley - These are a Few of my Favorite Things

Last night, our family had a much needed family night for Momma!  It made me think this morning, before I even got out of bed, about my favorite things.

I am 46, so of course I grew up with the movie, play and songs of "The Sound of Music."  I saw the movie every time it was on TV as a child.  Remember, we didn't have VCRs or DVD players back then.  We were at the mercy of the networks.  My father would adjust the color on the console television set before it started so we were ready for the beautiful scenery.  Being the youngest sibling who loved to sing, I started clearing my throat getting ready to "bless" my family with my "gift of song!"  I'm sure my siblings loved that!  I grew up with that iconic movie, as did most of my friends.  Was there ever a year in school chorus when we didn't sing a song from that movie or from The Carpenters?

But I digress.

Here are a just a few of my favorite things:

My children's laughter!  From the time they were babies until now when they are in their twenties, I love the sound of the hearty laughter that comes from the bodies of my children, especially when they are together.  Last night, even when they were in the family room in the basement, I could hear the hilarious laughter all the way up to the second level of the house.  It brings tears to my eyes to think that my children love each other and are still best friends as adults.  They "out joke" each other at every turn and laugh at everything.  Music to this Momma's soul!

The comfort of family and friends!  At this stage in my life, I have more friends in my life than I do family remaining.  So I make my family as I go!  It is so comforting to have a friend come by the house for a quick cup of coffee that turns into an entire afternoon of stories, laughter and sometimes tears.  The best "comfort of family" however, comes on Sunday mornings when I walk into my childhood church where friends who have known me my whole life (some even knew my mother her whole life), wrap their arms around me and make me feel loved and protected.  I have a bunch of new friends there too who do the same thing which is awesome too.  Also, seeing friends who are family anytime is a blessing!  Comfort to this woman's soul!

The promise of tomorrow!  There have been days I don't care to remember that I didn't think I would see "tomorrow."  But I did.  Whether at home in bed or in a strange room in a hospital, tomorrow always came.  It is the peace I have at night.  Though sorrow, sickness or fear may come at night, joy always comes in the morning.  And if I should die before I wake, I know the Lord my soul will take.  Reassurance to this survivor's soul!

The adventure of meeting new people!  I have this uncanny ability to make friends or conversations wherever I go.  Sometimes it is a blessing and sometimes it is a curse!  If you know everyone by name at the grocery store, you can't quickly sneak in with no makeup, your hair a mess and exercise clothes on just to grab a gallon of milk without everyone yelling, "Hey there, how are you doing today?  Long time no see!  How's the family?"  

Better yet, I also have the ability to hold up a meal order by getting into a long, in depth conversation with the struggling, single mom who is serving us.  Too many times to count, I have upset my hungry family by listening to the woes of a server (or bank clerk, or pharmacy cashier, or grocery store employee, or librarian), sometimes even giving her my phone number to shorten the conversation, all because I looked into her face and said, "How are you doing tonight?"

One of my best stories is when my children were young and their father and I, though we were separated, would always have family night each week where we would go do something special just the four of us.  One night, we were going to have dinner and then see a movie.  We were under a little time crunch, so as we walked into the restaurant, their dad grabbed my arm and slowly pulled me back as he whispered, "We have to make it to the movie on time, so DON'T make eye contact!"  He watched me like a hawk as I placed my order studying the menu with my eyes down and no expression on my face.  But I love making conversation with strangers.  Daily blessings to this gabby woman's soul!

Spending time with my cousin, Ruth!  Ruth and I grew up in the same area and were more like sisters than cousins.  Now that she lives with me and we spend our days together, we joke that we are cousins causing trouble.  You never know what kind of day we will have.  Mischief finds us or sometimes we go looking for it.  You never know what we wacky girls will do, especially when our "adopted" mother, Margaret, is along.  We are stuck like glue.  Cousins causing happiness in this woman's soul!

But, my very favorite thing of all...the sound of the key in the door at the end of the day when I know that amazing, handsome man of mine is home and everything is right in the world.  Now THAT is this woman's favorite thing!