Happiness!

[crestofwaves]

We have been answering about pain and death, so let me ask this question.  What is one of the best experiences you ever had (that has nothing to do with SEX or the birth of children or grandchidren)?

 

One was a walk in the middle of the winter in the woods in a snow storm.  I remember the silence except for a few cracking branches and the brook, under a layer of ice, actually murmuring.

 

Another was a sailboat ride around the island of Aruba. When the boat turned, it kind of lay on its side so that my legs, which were hanging over the side way over the water, suddenly were IN the water.  Exhillarating.

 

Another was the day I saw my dog Louis for the first time.  He looked up at me from behind the bars of the cage at the shelter as if to say " Hey. Do I know you?"  and I looked at him and fell immediately in love.  He wasn't even up for adoption yet--I had to keep calling and actually had to leave work to get him after a few days because they would not hold him in case I didn't show up.  And it was love I can't even describe for 14 years.

 

 

 

[dwalt]

I guess one is riding my horse.  Also when they see me.  I get a nicker and a whinney, like "mom you're home!!

[Lucinda Stone]

I am absolutely the happiest in a fabric store, i can walk around for hours mixing and matching the material, the trims, the ideas.  i think it's because i'm in the planning stage of creativity. plus the colors and textures just delight my senses.

i can be in the foulest of deep dark moods and after spending some time going thru the store, i leave with a new fresh bright outlook ......

[dwalt]

Well, a nice glass of red wine makes me smile too..

[crestofwaves]

Callie, that sounds wonderful!  Kudos. 

Wine helps. I had a hell day yesterday where I wanted to renounce pet ownership, motherhood and wifedom.  One of those days where it's give give give.  Then, as I was cooking dinner, I put the radio on and had a nice glass of wine and felt so mcuh better.  Then we sat down to watch Walking Dead and all my troubles disappeared.

Today, it's 50 degrees out, so I got my crazy little dog, my Ipod and just came back from a long walk.  Feeling good right now.

[Karin M Fichtner]

Can I mention the day I watched my son graduate from Officers' Candidate School in Quantico?  Definitely a proud and happy moment. 

Then, there's watching the sun rise at Daytona Beach.  Sitting on my balcony on Mackinaw Island having my morning coffee watching a huge ore boat go by.  Going back to Duluth, where I was born, and standing on the dunes I grew up playing on.  Standing at the hop of Pike's Peak in Colorado.  Having dinner on Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey, Ca, watching the sun set. 

That is only a small sampling. 

I'm happy a lot. 

[crestofwaves]

Gentlemen, I know you must have been happy.  Be sensitive now and shaaaaaaaaaaaaare.

[Lifesighs]

When I was taking flying lessons taking off and landing doing it all, being in the air looking at everything from a whole different perspective.

Laughing ourselves silly with friends remembering all the fun we've had together.

The rare experience when you realize someone really "gets you" it's a whole new communication.

The best is knowing someone loves me more than anyone else in the world.

Taking a walk and seeing all the beautiful things people create and the nature that abounds makes my heart full.

[Kim]

My best experiences arent anything special. But the first abd last time i did the following things were an absolute euphoric thrill for me i will never forget: Jet skiing with my cousins boyfriend, a ski plane over Canadian islands, a mission trip to Haiti when i was 18, hand feeding and cuddling with a giraffe at the zoo, sseing 4 bears in a tree and being 10 feet away when a baby bearclimbed down the tree, looked at me and calmly walked away, snorkelling in Mexican waters so amazingly clear and the fish that swam around my head checking me out, horsebacking across a stream, horseback riding on the beach, seeing the. Grand Canyon, seeing a butterfly be born while my little girl knew she was experiencing a miracle...

[crestofwaves]

Wow.  These stories are wonderful.  I am enjoying reading them so much.

[uno,dos,3]

This wasn't a magic/scenic moment.....but it led to many, many such moments.....my retirement 6 years ago.

At last I was the master of my time.......this has led to the exhiliration of driving into Sedona and seeing those breathtaking red mountains and countless encounters with ocean views in and out of this country.....I've never been happier.

[uno,dos,3]

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the mysterious disappearances of my wives from whom I inherited a considerable amount of cash. I hope this doesn't make me sound crass and materialistic. Both disappearances took a heavy emotional toll on me...........the subsequent trial were no walk in the park. I did name my new boat after one of them 'Big Bottom Girl'.........I've always been a sentimental guy.

 

[crestofwaves]

Uni, dos tre, I had to interview my father for a sociology class I took in grad school.  I asked him what the best thing in his life was and his answer was "Oh!  When I retired!"  He retired at 62 and lived to be 91, so he did fine.  I retired in June, and the freedom is WONDERFUL!!!