50 First Smiles

Annah Elizabeth2 Comments

Wow…it’s Sunday…already…

Wherever did this week go?

Oh, yes, I know…

It evaporated in a daily series of phone calls and my ongoing research to meet new people and make new connections in this vast cyber sphere…

One of the disadvantages of living in a small town is that of limited easy access to global information…

In this instance, I had a little trouble finding someone who could give me details I needed regarding vaccinations we’ll need if we accompany Fave to South Africa in June.

Of course there are many fantastic people in our small area, and I ultimately did land on just what I needed…it just took a little extra effort…

When I wasn’t focused on that, I was working to promote my upcoming discussion in the Syracuse area and learning a new language called Listserv

I must say, a sense of accomplishment definitely feeds my happy.

But the best part of these past days came at the end.

The week culminated with prom and another gathering of some fabulous young men and women at our house.

Bags of tuxes filled our laundry room
 


It seems a bit surreal that my youngest is only a year away from leaving the nest.

 
SAT tests and college exploration and prom…

Isn’t he handsome? And that infectious smile just melts my heart!
A second week of laughter and camaraderie and company to fill this big ole house and that happy organ near my heart…
One of our good friends brought along his Junior prom picture, spurring all of us to reminisce about our own events.
Here’s my prom photo.

And you want to hear something really weird?!
That orange sofa and the coffe table in my photo? They’re the same pieces of furniture in the photo with my son and his friends! No joke…
 
This morning, as I recover from a late night and little sleep, I scanned through my DVR’d list and settled on 50 First Dates.

Most of Adam Sandler’s humor is lost on me, but I have to say I adore him in this film.
And who can resist Drew Barrymore? Isn’t she just the most charming and irresistible actress?
 

And talk about perseverance and determination and guts and fortitude…she epitomizes our human ability to pull ourselves up out of the depths of a toxic life and to move forward in living the very best existence we can…

And speaking of living our very best personal, professional, and philanthropic lives, even in wake of adversity, I completed that grant application for The Five Facets Philosophy on healing, and submitted it with a day to spare….

If I’m successful in that endeavor, then I will have others who are as passionate about this premise as I am, people who will also become messengers of this plan to help people when they are ready to transition from grief into healing…

Right now, 50 First Dates is halfway through a second run. Sharing a night stroll on the beach, Lucy has just asked Henry to tell her a little about himself.

He replies that he’s won seven, all-you-can-eat-chicken-wing contests and that he’s a ballet dancer…

Imagine Adam Sandler in a tutu and tight little slippers…

That right there’s another dose of happy, Journeyer…humor…

Thank you Drew and Adam and you, Journeyer (for every time I see your visit show up on my little visitor counter, I smile) for enriching my life and making my world a brighter place…

You know what? It just dawned on me…this Happy Happens column is a bit like the 50 First Dates concept. You see, our Happy seems to get lost in translation, as if the Unhappy is our own sort of damaged frontal lobe.

Even more so, I happen to love the notion of 50 First Smiles, as if each second of joy is like we’re experiencing it for the first time, like the first kisses that Henry and Lucy had over and over again.

Think about that! Imagine how much more impact those fleeting smiles would have on our lives!
And one more smile before I go: My tulips are sprouting! Fresh greenery! Spring is finally here!!!
After this winter, that’s definitely something to rejoice!!!

What about you? What Moment(s) from the past week felt like one of your 50 First Smiles?

Until next week…keep on paying homage to all those events that bring you joy, even those simplest, seemingly innocuous instances that try to flit right past you…

2 Comments on “50 First Smiles”

  1. Your prom news made me smile… I didn’t go to prom, but both my boys did. (One did his own thing in terms of attire, the other went traditional with a tux, both junior and senior years. Eeesh! The budget!)

    I also smiled at your mention of 50 First Dates. I actually found that movie more than charming, but helpful. It gave me ideas that I’ve modified and used in spending time with a loved one with Alzheimer’s. To some degree, each day wipes out what came the day before, or frankly, an hour before. It’s surprising what visuals can do to assist.

    xo

  2. Hi DA Wolf! How is it that we have so much in common and our physical lives have never crossed paths? lol

    So interesting you use some of the film’s strategies in real life…I thought them to be quite clever and wondered if they’d have a real life purpose. Thanks for answering that question!

    As for prom…expensive, yes, but we were fortunate to score a $40 coupon! And my boy covered his date’s ticket and dinner… I only went to one prom, and that was a set-up by my Madrigal’s instructor who wanted a date for a fellow singer and one of her senior students…lol The photo is my only recollection of the night! haha If you ask me, you didn’t miss out on much… 😉

    Thanks for sharing your smiles! 🙂

Leave a Reply to Annah Elizabeth Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.