I’ve been thinking today about the things that make me smile. Saturday seems like a great day to think about things like that. So, here goes:

• I love it when I don’t have to be pretty.
• I love dressing up and getting all sparkly on a Wednesday…for no reason.
• I love clean sheet of paper - the way it looks and feels…full of possibility.
• I love it when my daughters want to borrow something of mine to wear.
• I love it when I say to Byron, “Sorry the house is a mess - I’m cleaning it today.”, and he says, “I don’t care about that - if you’re in the house I don’t see anything else.”
• I love the feeling of a little boy’s hand in mine.
• I love the Florida sky at dusk - when it’s all pink and teal and changing…it’s like a present every day.
• I love the sound of water…it’s like music to me.
• I love the way my dogs don’t care about anything but being with me - no matter what I look like or what kind of mood I’m in.
• I love the way my mic feels in my hand on Sundays…it feels like home.
• I love a clean bathroom.
• I love newly washed, 800 thread-count sheets.
• I love the way hot coffee feels in my hands when I’m chilly…and I’m usually chilly ’til I drink my coffee…so, it works out well.
• I love words…the sound of them, the meaning of them - a purposely and thoughtfully turned phrase is spectacular.
• I love the way old books smell.
• I love it when people act surprised to hear that I’m a pastor’s wife…
• I love seeing people realize for the first time that God really loves them…more than any person has ever been loved by anyone.
• I love it when Byron is speaking on Sunday, and he shares a truth from God’s Word and someone says afterward, “How did you know that’s exactly what I’m dealing…it’s like you read my mind.” - and he explains that he didn’t know…but God does. (And he’s reminded that he’s doing what he was born to do).
• I love being with a friend - a true friend - and not having to be good, or strong…or even appropriate - and knowing they’ll love me anyway.
• I love the color turquoise.
• I love hard rock…and opera…and Enya. I love blue grass, Sarah McLachlan, Aerosmith and Chris Tomlin. I love Dolly Parton and Axel Rose - I love eighties hair bands and punk rock. I love Hillsong United and Johnny Cash. I love Mozart and Nickelback…and (this could go on all day).
• I love a wool sweater in the winter…even if it’s only 65.
• I love quiet…and I love noise.
  
• I love roses…and pretty weeds that my son picked for his mommy.
• I love it when my eyelids and toes are sparkly.
• I love it when I wear sunglasses and a ball-cap and someone says, “Oh, it’s you…I didn’t recognize you!”.
• I love my family.
  
• I love it when it’s Saturday and there’s a ton to do, but my family lets me sit for a while and make a random list of things that I love…

…I’m sure I’ll think of a zillion more the minute I hit “publish”, but I have miles to go before I sleep - so….

Peace.