'S Wonderful

Do you know that Gershwin song, "'S Wonderful"? Such a happy song and such cheery, romantic and clever lyrics. Well, that's the Gershwins for you.

Really, there is so much to wonder at in this world. And you don't have to go far. Wonder, cheer and happiness is right in front of you all the time. Here are just a few things that I saw, read or experienced lately that made me wonder.

I saw a tree that looked like musical notes on a scale. I took a picture of it (see it up there?). It reminded me of a Dr. Seuss illustration but it's perfectly real. It's a London Plane tree, member of the sycamore family. Made me very happy.

I read this: Imagine a baseball to be made of glass and as large as the earth; now, picture that glass ball completely full of grapes. That's equivalent to how many atoms are in one baseball. Wow!! WOW. Just take that in. That's just amazing.

I heard my two grandsons, ages 3 and 5, laughing together. There is no sound more joyous than that. And that's one that can go on for your whole life. Being with siblings or cousins or best friends that really just "get" you and laughing yourselves silly is one of the best things ever. I'll bet George and Ira Gershwin had some of those moments.

Bright blue sky with sunlight sparkling on fresh snow. Good homemade pizza. Holding hands. Re-reading a favorite book. Thinking. Breathing. Meditating. Laughing. Solving a crossword. Being understood. Singing. Great music. A fire in the fireplace. A walk by the salt water on a cold day. Acting silly.

It's been a week full of wonderful things and things to wonder at. There's always going to be plenty to worry about and complain about but there's probably much more to be happy about. Opportunities for appreciation are infinite. There is joy in the ordinary. There are startling amazements in the everyday. You don't have to look far to find happiness. It actually all starts with how you choose to see.