When I was diagnosed with Cancer in February I was bombarded with a various assortment of paperwork everywhere I went. This included bills, appointments, referrals, pamphlets and lots of self help stuff.
From one of the self help books there is a page I’m supposed to fill out-what makes me happy. Does anyone ever really fill out all this stuff and answer all these self help questions? I do read all the self help suggestions so I’m wondering what really does make me happy.
It’s the little things daily that make me laugh and I suppose that’s what makes me happy.
I’ve had a belly laugh this evening over a Minty Fresh Yard! Yes! I purchased a small peppermint plant at the local vegetable stand solely because it smelled nice and the tag said it was easy to grow. I mentioned this to a more plant knowledgeable friend of mine. She went into a panic on text..told me I needed to re-pot into large pot and while doing so that I must be very careful. She said any Mint spillage would result in Mint all over my yard. You must keep all of this in perspective and realize that she probably removes all the weeds in her yard by hand. All the while I’m beginning to think that I might enjoy a Minty Fresh Yard. She explained the necessity again of not letting it spread and the steps to prevent this. I took her advice, thanked her profusely and stored this information with the intention of moving my plant at some time in the near future. I then shared this with my housemate (who also has Cancer) and she suggested we research it. We did discover this cute little (3) three inch plant will grow up to a height of 12-18 inches and spread quickly. We just looked at each other and busted out laughing. We could let it overtake all of our dandelions and various other strange things that are growing in the yard and it would smell fabulous. Little did my wise friend know how much joy she had brought us by sharing some simple plant advice.
It is the little things. It was that phone call yesterday from Vassar College on our way home from our Oncologist visits. He just called to see how our appointments had went. We shared our news and off he went.
It was that simple little good morning on messenger asking how I slept? It was laughing about the cat getting taller not wider. It’s about making plans for college graduation. It’s about watching a toddler forego his pancake and solely eat or attempt to eat syrup for dinner.
It’s not the new car in the driveway. It is the chocolate milkshake I decided I wanted on a whim. It’s not the Good Cancer I have (treatable). It is the phone calls from my nieces telling me outrageous but true stories. It’s not sitting here alone. It is sitting here by myself reading or writing. It’s not having a housemate with Cancer. It is having a housemate with Cancer that knows that scared to death feeling. It is the excitement of going somewhere new. It is the excitement of seeing an old friend. It is the colorful flowers everywhere and the beautiful weather.
Happiness could be a Minty Fresh Yard.