Sunday, December 3, 2000

Happiness is a warm puppy

By MARY JANE HOLT
Contributuing Writer

I hope you've been working on the assignment I gave you early in November.

If you have, your "thank you" list should be starting to take shape by now. Mine, which follows this paragraph, has been in the making for years. Let yours continue to grow as well.

Perhaps you could make it a family tradition. How awesome it would be if all of America could be consumed with real feelings of thanksgiving for just one day.

What if that feeling bled over into the days and weeks that followed? Remember, a thankful heart may be the key to true peace and happiness, perhaps even longevity. How's that? It may be impossible for negative emotions to harm the body in which a thankful heart rules.

I'm thankful for forever friends...sunsets over the ocean... hot chocolate and a good book... the wind in my face... thunder... romantic movies... a cool drink of water... sparrows... south Georgia dirt... soft rain... the "Quotable Quotes" in my monthly Reader's Digest... hard rain... honesty... chocolate covered nuts... allergy medication... wind sounds before a storm... a challenge... sweet iced tea... the voice of God... honesty... my husband's love... rose petals... hugs... south Georgia soil... Jan's sweet potato souffle... my mother's orange cake... forgiveness... walking in the rain... snuggling... my sons' voices... my mother-in-law's turkey dressing... a smooth riding automobile... south Georgia fields... Jesus... shades of pink... long evening walks... friends who aren't afraid to "be there"... the changing seasons... patience... funny movies... Georgia - all its faces... puppies... storms... angels... eagles... clear and flowing north Georgia streams... forever memories... my sons' friends... airplanes... the incredible shades of blue in a Montana sky... chocolate... hummingbirds... the Smoky mountains... cowboy hats... pecans... butterflies... safe journeys... country music... the clasp of a baby's hand around my finger... Dylan... black and white... sunsets at Dr. K's office... God's faithfulness... big, bulky, soft, warm sweaters... shared heart thoughts... autumn gold... evenings alone with my husband... Santa Claus... juicy navel oranges... old friends... unconditional love... prayer... crunching leaves under foot in the fall... having a telephone... being away from the telephone... the freedom to make choices... fried quail and cheese grits... my biscuits... my sisters' singing... home... red and gold leaves that flutter and fall like snow... the crackling embers of a welcoming hearth... the wisdom of the old and young... paper and pen... sketch pads and charcoal... North Carolina memories... a sweet kiss... crunchy apples... loving, protective dogs... picnics... surprises... Christmas trees... crisp, white blankets of snow... the borrowed, empty tomb of Christ... worn sneakers... indoor toilets... the color red... massive, old trees... young seedlings... squash casserole... secrets... baby chickens... success... failure... the sound of the ocean bathing the rocks along the coast of Maine... God's love... forests... lazy days... wind chimes... mood setting jazz... rodeos... Arizona at dusk... blue jeans and sweat shirts... toe tapping, hand clapping gospel music... freshly plowed earth... the South... coziness... hot tea... cards and letters... my brothers and sisters... poetry... patience... old houses... country roads... front porch lights... God fearing preachers of the gospel... the American flag... courage... the skylines of big cities at night... camp fire tales... laughter... new friends... Portsmouth, New Hampshire... my Bible... God's timing... soft music...slow, deep relaxed breathing...my camera...restful sleep... my computer... my husband's support... Jennifer... God's grace... truth... compassion in action... good neighbors... safe journeys... a warm bed... sunrise... America... a deeply personal awareness of God's love for us... fresh vegetables from a back yard garden... lush green grass... wildflowers... sowers of seeds... unbroken circles... family... Victoria Elise... geese flying south in the fall... Snuffy... equal measures of courage and humility... sincerity... front porches... back porches... loyalty... fairness... warm robes... soft slippers... chocolate covered coffee beans... Guthrie... change... Delta Air Lines... the free press in America... godly leaders... faith - mine and yours... chipmunks... fox squirrels... chocolate cake with lots of layers... long drives alone with good music on the radio and crushed ice to eat while I drive... safety... freedom from pain... snuggling with my husband... long walks... Sunday dinners... conversations with my sons... the 20th century... the anticipation of my trip into space with my grandson at the controls of our space ship... the 21st century... the Montana mountains... children at play... chocolate chip cookies (mine)... roots that run deep... black and white... the ability to listen to and follow directions... aloneness... togetherness... the absolutely awesome opportunity I have had each week for 14 years to write this column... you.

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