Little Moments

The year 2010 has been full of little moments. Most of the year was great, but not all. The one dark spot was the death of Ken's brother, Jon. He will definitely be missed!

Some of the little moments include graduating with my Master's degree in English, playing a lot of pool with Ken, and muddling through travel disruptions, delays, and detours due to Europe's massive snowstorm as well as New York's massive snowstorm these last couple of weeks. Despite our travel woes, we did get to spend an unplanned night in Paris, and celebrating Christmas with my Aunt Betty and Uncle Alan, my cousins, and my parents in Coventry, England was a great way to top off the year.

Ken and I are wrapping up 2010 at home where it's safe from revellers who don't know when to say when. My favorite type of celebration: a quiet evening at home with Ken.

We plan to embrace 2011 and all its little moments.

Happy New Year!

***

Ken outside Aunt Betty's house in Coventry, England

Ken and Bob--with Dad and Uncle Alan in the background

Sisters!

Dinner with Mom and Dad. Cheers!

Coventry Cathedral --still in ruins from The Blitz in 1940

View from our hotel in Cologne (Köln), Germany

au revoir 2010!

Happiness is not a Potato

"Happiness is not a potato, to be planted in mould, and tilled with manure. Happiness is a glory shining far down upon us out of Heaven"

This little quote is from Villette by Charlotte Brontë. The quote is Lucy Snowe's response to Dr. John's comment to her about a cure or a preventative for her mental disturbances (she thought she saw the ghost of a nun): "Happiness is the cure--a cheerful mind the preventative: cultivate both."

***
I am finished with Grad School. I turned in my last paper yesterday, and I walk the stage this Thursday evening. A piece of paper that says I have earned a Master of Arts degree in English will be mailed to me. How do I feel?

I am happy, but I do believe I will need to cultivate that happiness a little bit over the next few weeks. I am transitioning from student back to a member of the working class. I'm excited to discover the changes that are sure to come in 2011, but I'm also a little nervous. I will be happy to find a new place for me out there in the world, but that happiness will need a little tending and cultivation as I prepare for the new year. I am ready.

***
When I first read the above quote, I laughed. Upon reflection, I am inclined to agree with both Dr. John and Lucy Snowe. Happiness isn't always easy to come by, and it can wax and wane as it pleases, so a little cultivation is a good idea. But happiness also comes from Heaven, from God.

When you receive that wonderful gift of happiness from God, how do you accept it? Do you receive it with open arms and expect it to linger in your presence as you go about your business? Or do you embrace that happiness and cultivate it so that it blossoms and spreads its tendrils out to the hearts of others?