The simplest things in life can sometimes be the best. It’s that simple. A cup of gumbo. A sour patch gummy. A puppy letting you know it’s dinner time. I get such joy and pleasure when my puppy comes up to me with his wide-saucer eyes and paws me and softly barks. That’s his way of communicating to me that he wishes to eat at that time. I laugh and hug him and run with him to the kitchen. It warms my heart and makes me forget for a second or two all the problems weighing me down.

The kitchen is a good place to be in many respects regarding small joys in life. Making coffee in the morning. Looking out the back kitchen door at the little chipmunks traipsing about. Sitting with my teenage son and having a conversation about our respective days and challenges. Being able to talk to my son a little bit about what challenges I face at work and in life fills my heart with joy. When he says he can relate and tells me about an event at school or online gaming, I feel connected to him. That connection keeps me tethered to what matters in life. Love. Joy. Bond.