Happy Moments in the Little Things

Tybee Island, GA 2017

"Perfect happiness is a beautiful sunset, the giggle of a grandchild, the first snowfall. It's the little things that make happy moments, not the grand events. Joy comes in sips, not gulps." --Sharon Draper

This time last week we experienced two out of the three 'little things' mentioned in the above quote: beautiful sunsets and giggling grandkids. Thankfully there was no snow!  It all came about when our whole clan (parents/grandparents, kids, kids-in-law, grandkids) gathered at Tybee Island Beach off the coast of Savannah, GA. There we enjoyed happy moments in the little things and tucked them away: collecting shells, jumping waves, morning and evening walks, climbing to the top of a lighthouse, exploring an historical city. Not to speak of the bedtime stories and meals shared together. All good stuff. We stored moments up, sipped and savored. Sharing a few of those moments in snapshots...

"People forget years and remember moments." --Ann Beattie

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts 

are conscious of our treasures." --Thornton Wilder

"Well, that's what life is--this collection of extraordinarily ordinary moments. We just need to pay attention to them all. Wake up and pay attention to how beautiful it all is." 

--Alexander Payne

 

    "I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that's how you grow. When there's that moment of 'Wow, I'm not really sure I can do this,' and you push through those moments, that's when you have a breakthrough." --Marissa Mayer

"Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us without words? " --Marcel Marceau

Part of the reason for this trip and its collection of special moments came about because members of our family--our son and his family--are soon to embark on a move to Spain. There they will be afforded many new opportunities as they engage in work in the mission field, and so they will be blessed with their own very special moments as they establish their lives there. (They were there for a period of time a few years ago. I blogged about that here.) And so this one is for you, Keith, from one of your childhood favorites:

"It's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy...Let's go exploring!"--Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes

What special moments have you tucked away in your heart recently? Ever been to Savannah, or to Tybee Island? Any special celebrations in your family coming up?

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Meeting the Challenge

"Fear of failure must never be a reason not to try something." --Frederick Smith

I never learned to ski. Truthfully never desired to. Besides, the ski lift always looked a bit risky. What a wimp, huh?

But once a few years back, I finally did it--I rode a ski lift. Hubby and I were on a cross-country road trip and stopped at a ski resort that offered summer rides to the top of the mountain. At first I balked. I would only ride the gondola, thank you very much, even if it meant just going half way. But hubby was patient (bless his heart) and convinced me to go on. I'm so glad he did.

For the lift took us to an amazing, mesmerizing view. Supposedly we could see three states (Idaho, Washington, Montana) from up there, as well as British Columbia, Canada. I felt like Maria/Julie Andrews in the opening scene of The Sound of Music. It was that beautiful. And to think I almost passed on the chance...

It's time now for me to take a chance on query submissions, the writer's personal mountain to climb. But my ski lift experience taught me that it's worth the risk--even if it means rejection. For if we concentrate too much on risks, we risk talking ourselves out of something neat before it has a chance to fly. So we'll see how this goes. At least I'm not afraid to ride the lift this time!

And certainly I'm grateful for all the fellow travelers along the way. Special thanks to Karen (Write Now) for her book give-away last week--and for being named her winner. That was exciting news. And not only do I have a chance to read a new book, I've been introduced to yet another wonderful author. A Distant Melody was written by Sarah Sundin. Read Karen's two-part interview with Sarah here and here.

So, what about you--are you a nail biter, too, or do you love the challenge of the climb?

(Photo: Silver Mountain Gondola, http://www.visitidaho.org/mapsimages)