CHEAPER THAN THERAPY THURSDAY

Here’s my two cents… How happy are you? I can honestly say that I am happy. But happiness is like the sun or the moon. Some days the sun and moon are very visible, other days they’re not. But just because you can’t see them, does not mean they ever go away. The sun never stops shining. The moon may become hidden by the earth, but it always makes its return. Many of us are the same. Happiness comes and it goes. When I look back on my life, I’ve had good and bad times. This year, I have lived in Wisconsin for more than ½ my life. I moved from New Jersey, 24 years ago; when I was 23 years old. In the past 24 years, my happiness was just like the sun and the moon; sometimes hidden, sometimes shining. I've gotten married, bought houses, built houses, had 2 sons, changed jobs, filed for divorce, became a widow, learned to ski, fell out of love, jumped in with my eyes closed, fell in love, hurt people, loved people, lived life my way, lived life someone else’s way, sacrificed, been selfish, and can honestly admit; each day even the lowest of days; there was happiness. I’ve made difficult decisions. I’ve witnessed 4 very important people in my life, die. I’ve cried alone. I’ve cried to friends. I’ve cried to my sons. I’ve also laughed until I’ve peed myself. I have the heart of a warrior, where I try to wrestle my oldest son (knowing I will never win), but I still try. I have the most wonderful friends in my life. People who I cherish. People who have helped carry my burdens, when they were too heavy for me to carry on my own. Over the last 24 years, I haven’t always been happy, but every day I lay my head on my pillow and thanked God for what I do have. Today, I’m the oldest I’ve ever been; and I am happy. Happy today for the ability to breathe, my 2 healthy sons, a warm home, Pop as my neighbor, money to buy food, dear friends and family who still call after all these years, David - the sweetest man I’ve ever kissed, being able to go "home" to NJ many summers to see the farm/the shore/my sissy, my van Mo, cutting wood with an axe, and skiing to name a few. To be happy 100% of the time; impossible. To be happy at some point in each day…absolutely possible. What makes you happy?