Small Pleasures
Sat., March 28, 03:28 PM
There are lots of things going on here, most of them not worth describing. Still, with the coming of spring, some things become possible. I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am to see the end of this winter.
Some recent experiences — small in themselves — point out how little things can make me happy. I intend to cherish each one that occurs. Take last Thursday.
I needed to have more blood drawn. (This may become routine.) My doctor’s office was supposed to fax the orders to the local laboratory, and I wanted to make sure they were there; but there is no telephone number listed for this lab. There is a central number for the group, but if you try to find an individual number, it directs you back to the central number — whether you ’re using the telephone directory or online sources. I finally decided I would just walk in, hoping that they had it and that there would not be a long wait. The waiting room was empty, and the fax had been received; but it was illegible. “Go right in and sit down,” said the clerk, “I’m going to call them and then we’ll do the work.” All went well, and I was out of there in record time. And I copied the phone number off the door, so I will have it for next time!
It seemed like a good time to try my luck at the barbershop. I had not been able to get there all winter, and I looked like Gravel Gertie, of Dick Tracy fame.
That’s not the best picture of her, but you get the idea. The barber wasn’t busy, and he cut off at least six inches of gray hair. I was beginning to look like a person again — and I still had time to catch the bookmobile.
I drove home and went inside; when I came out, I could see the bookmobile down the street. It wasn’t too cold, and it wasn’t raining, so I walked. (Walking back and forth is almost a quarter of a mile.) As I said to the staff, “It has been a full morning. I think I deserve to go home, put my feet up, and read my books.”
This morning, a different kind of pleasure — a short visit from my granddaughter. Lila’s parents were visiting friends in the area and stopped by so we could see our treasure, now all of six months old. She found my fingers fascinating toys, with their brightly colored nails. She is right on schedule as far as growth and development, has a ready smile, and I repeat, she is the most beautiful… It was a good day to play outside, but Husband didn’t want to go out, so Ms. P. brought the baby indoors for him — and then he forgot he was supposed to look up and see her. He was happy, once we reminded him. No words yet, of course, but she does vocalize. And smile.
It should be a motto: remember to cherish the small pleasures.
