Getting to know you – what makes me happy?

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Jessica Bakkers had the great idea of writing some post about herself to share with her blogily. Bloggers share a lot about their thoughts, ideas and passions through their blog posts, but they often don’t post much about their lives outside of blogging.

Jessica chose to write What’s Your Rage. You can read her great post here: https://jessicabakkers.com/2020/11/13/getting-to-know-you-whats-your-rage/

I decided that as its Friday night after a taxing and long work week, I will write about what makes me happy.

My garden also makes me happy. I have been enjoying it a great deal since we have been working form home for the past 8 months. I try to go for a 5 000 step walk around the garden at least once a day and I often take pictures of the flowers in my garden. We also have a peach tree, two plum trees, strawberry plants and a fig tree. I have blackberry bush which is just coming into fruit.

My family makes me happy. I live with my husband and two sons, Gregory (17) and Michael (14). My parents live on the same property in a cottage and join us for dinner which we always eat together, as a family.

My sons have always made me happy. I never had baby blues or depression post either of their births, I was immensely happy when the doctor laid the little bundles in my arms. Terence and I have travelled a rough road with our boys as both of them have suffered chronic health problems.

They have had 32 operations between them. Despite the anxiety of all these spells in the hospital, I always adored my boys.

Terence and I have been taking turns the past three weeks with helping Michael prepare for his year end examinations. Terence does maths and mapwork and I do everything else. I also help test Greg on some of his work. I will tell you what I test him on just as soon as I’ve Googled what it is [wink].

My red roses

Other activities that make me happy are baking, fondant art, writing and blogging. I have a wonderful new gingerbread Christmas project on the go and am making and freezing all the pieces to assemble during the week before Christmas. I’m not going to tell you anything more, you will have to wait for the surprise closer to the day. I just love Christmas. November and December are my favourite months of the year.

A few of my Christmas creations

Another hobby of mine is reading, I just love to read. I read for 1 hour every night and, as I am a fast reader, I average about four books a month and at least one audio book.

Thinking about all the things that make me happy that I have written about here makes me realise what a lucky person I am. I have time and the ability to spend time over weekends doing the things I love doing. I also get to spend time with my favourite people every day. My sisters and their children visit regularly, as do my aunt and my husband’s family. What more could I really want from life?

What makes you happy? Let me know in the comments.

Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

Published

67 thoughts on “Getting to know you – what makes me happy?”

  1. You do have a great life and much to be happy about. My family makes me happy too, even though they are far away. My dog makes me very happy as does my hubby. The sun makes me happy as does the beach. Writing and reading are a huge enjoyment of mine. And my friends, near, far and in the blogging world make me happy. Oh and chocolate!

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    1. Strangely, Darlene, I never eat chocolate, I find the taste overwhelmingly strong. Odd for a person who writes about a chocolate man but, in my defence, Sir Chocolate was Michael’s idea. I am delighted by how many other writers also delight in family, friends and nature. It must be where we get our inspiration from.

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  2. My wife, son, daughter-in-law, the dog, having a job, writing, reading, drawing and painting, photography, hikes and waking up each day, all make me happy. Having you as a blogging/writing friend also makes me happy.

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  3. What a thoughtful post, Robbie. Thank you for sharing your beautiful self. What makes me happy? Hugs from my grandkids send me over the top. There’s nothing quite like those little arms wrapping around you, accompanied by multiple kisses. Otherwise, my spirit soars being in nature. Walking outside in the fresh air can lift my spirit in minutes. Like Darlene, I love dark chocolate — it’s a staple in my home. 💝

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  5. From the photos you’ve shared, Roberta, I could have guessed many of the things that make you happy, especially your family. 32 operations? Wow, that’s a true test for parents trying to stay sane. Our daughter has had one operation, as an adult, and I found it difficult to be in the waiting room while she was in surgery. I enjoy almost any creative activity.

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    1. You are very industrious, Dan, and get a lot of pleasure from your efforts, as do I. 32 Operations was tough, but there was always someone with a much worse situation than ours in the hospital. In some ways, it also makes you grateful for what you have.

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  6. I really enjoyed this post, Robbie – profound and life-affirming! The other day in my guided meditation, this is the quote that was given at the end. It comes from the movie, Good Will Hunting: “You’ll have bad times, but it’ll always wake you up to the good stuff you weren’t paying attention to.” Have a wonderful day!!

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  9. It sounds as if you have a really wonderful and diverse lifestyle, Robbie, one from which you get a great deal of satisfaction. I would comment on what I enjoy and what I don’t, but at the moment I’ve no idea as I’m doing absolutely nothing.

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  10. Thanks for sharing, Robbie! As Clarence the Angel-in-waiting told George Bailey: “you really DID have a wonderful life!” We all have challenges, obstacles and frustrations, but we also create our own joy and celebration by choosing to find happiness everyday!

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  12. Oh my goodness, I LOVED reading about what makes you happy. Your family sounds wonderful, multiple generations that enjoy spending time together is a huge blessing. Your artistic skills are amazing and to have a garden that produces such wonderful blessings is another thing that would make me happy too.

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  13. What a lovely idea!! See, I went straight for what makes me mad, and you go for what makes you happy. Yin to my yang?
    What makes me happy – reading a good book (obv), playing a good computer game, eating chocolate, lazing in bed on the weekend till late, going to bed early and watching TV. Pretty simple pleasures really 🙂
    So, nice to have this other end of the spectrum to ponder on, Robbie!

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  14. Reblogged this on Jessica Bakkers and commented:
    I often think of Robbie as my soul-sister because we share a lot of the same interests and relate well to one another. Well, to prove that again, here’s Robbie’s post – the yin to my own ranting yang – about what makes you happy. Check it out and pop a comment at the bottom to discuss, what is it that makes you happy?

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  15. You’re too busy with happy things so you don’t have time to be mad, Robbie. 32 operations between your two boys are a lot. They are moving on with their lives and enjoy doing things. That’s enough to be thankful for and make you happy. Having your parents close by and have dinner together every day is a blessing. Knowing how helpful Terence is with you and the boys, it’s a another blessing. Yes, you’re a happy person!

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  16. What a great post, Robbie. It is good to take stock of the things that make you happy and the things you are grateful for. Like you, my family makes me happy. I think that is number one. Nature makes me happy too. I love to watch the birds and other tiny creatures that visit our garden. (I don’t like the inside ones so much, though.) I also love to read and write. Both those activities give me joy. I love to play games and laugh with my family, and I love to contemplate and discuss deep issues. I love sharing with young children the joy that can be found in books and helping them embark on their journey into literacy. Oh, dear. I could go on, but I’d better stop. So much joy. Thanks for making me think about it. That has also made me happy. 🙂

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    1. I am really glad to know that thinking of the things that bring you happiness brought more joy to you. I do believe that life works like that. Thinking about and focusing on positive things make us much happier and more contented as people. I know that you love all these things and I think it is wonderful.

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  17. This is a good post to read to start my weekend. I’m smiling! My daughters, too, put me in a happy place. I look forward to our phone calls every night and hope we can return to a more normal way of being together next year some time. (K)

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  19. Writing makes me very happy! Sunlight through my windows makes me happy, as does exploring the back roads of northern New England with my husband. Seeing my daughter happy with her life in San Diego also makes me happy. Thanks for asking, Robbie!

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    1. Hi H. Yes, having a family does help see you through the hard times as you face them together. We have been six throughout the lockdown and it did make it much more bearable. We all had projects we did in groups. I am glad I don’t have to homeschool any more though. That was a bit tough.

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  21. A lovely post, Robbie, and a nice complement to Jess’s “rage” post. Lol. Like you, I love gardening. Also writing, good food, reading, and friends and family. So many things make me happy that just thinking about them gets me smiling. 🙂

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    1. Your happiness in life shines through in your posts and comments, Diana. I didn’t fancy going down the ‘rage’ road this week as I am very volatile and do get into red rages on odd occasions. They are usually about perceived injustices. They pass quickly though and I turn to positive action like my community service and outreach programmes.

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    1. Thank you, Craig. I know you love your peach tree. Ours is doing so well this year and has a bumper crop of peaches. I’ve taken to making them up into packages for distribution to the underprivileged. We have a lot of need now due to C-19 job losses.

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  24. I haven’t always been a happy person. It took awhile to get where I am. And I can say I am happy now. I have a wonderful family (those distant ones that don’t speak to me, I can let them go and hope their own lives satisfy them…) I’ve got a roof over my head and food to eat, and a yard that is a private sanctuary with a creek for a border.

    I get to write and read everyday and even with Covid – our ‘pod’ and neighbors support each other. Autumn is turning to winter and while I don’t go overboard with any holiday – you’ve reminded me that it’s time I start getting holiday boxes ready to mail. More now since we’ve got restrictions on how many we can safely meet with.

    We all have our ways to help our neighbors and community. I’m sure anyone who gets to eat your peaches will be grateful. I need to get to my library to see if they are having a giving tree this year. For the last several years I’ve gifted crocheted scarves for them to distribute. I’ve also gifted some to a program that gives scarves to those in need by wrapping the scarves around different fences in the city with notes that basically say – if you need me take me so I can keep you warm.

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    1. Hi Jules, the idea about the scarves is really a great one. I am contributing to a Christmas party for underprivileged children at a school. I am donating 100 of my Sir Chocolate books and 48 party packs. The other 52 party packs are being donated by other people. The goodies will be put inside a school bag and each child will receive one. It sounds like you live in a lovely place. I only know my neighbours from a waving as we pass perspective.

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      1. We knew a different set when our boys were younger. Many homeowners have changed over the years. Met quite a few actually out walking this year due to everyone wanting some fresh (suburban) air in our neighborhood.

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