Simple Pleasures

In the early 1990's when there was yet another economic slowdown , though not as enormous as the one with which we are now coping, I wanted to start a magazine called "Simple Pleasures."   After the excesses of the '80's---which now seem sort of small potatoes compared to the excesses of the past seven or eight years--- I used to say that people had gone  from thinking about how much they needed to make them happy to deciding how little they needed to make them happy.

Certainly this is another "Simple Pleasures" time.   It may take some effort to focus on such pleasures but it is worth trying.  In fact, I think we will need to keep trying as we all go through some challenging times.    I know this week my simlple pleasures have been just taking long walks and enjoying the fabulous leaves.  Having one good night's sleep after a couple of nights battling middle-of-the-night insominia.  And having coffee with a friend, who I don't see often , but whom I like and respect.

But my best simple pleasure of all was baby sitting with my adorable nearly four-year-old granddaughter.   Her mother was at work, her dad had to go to a class, so I had the chance to  play with her for a while,  give her a bedtime snack, watch two episodes of Dora The Explorer, read her two bedtime stories and sit with her until she fell asleep.

Let me boast--she ls tall, beautiful, with amazing curly red hair.   Her nanny told me that a motherof one of her little friends said to her, "You are so tall and gorgeous."   And it is true.  She has already learned to modestly murmur "Thank you," as the compliments, especially about that hair, pour in. 

She sat curled in my arms as we watched Dora.   She corrected me a couple of times when I missed a word in "Madeline" and "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom."  Yes, she is that smart.    We painted an autumn scene together, an apple tree, pumpkin, dog with black spots , and she traced her name.  Yes, she is really that smart.   

Maybe we adore our grandchildren so much because we have given up some of our illusions about own children and so we transfer our expectations to the next generation.   Or maybe because playing with them, sharing a hug and a kiss, we are enjoying the distillation of a simple pleasure, knowing there is nothing else or nothing more that we could want than to have this moment of utter contentment and joy.   

Comments

[Susan Levine]

I am delighted to view your new blog and applaud you on its clarity and content. I am always open to advice on fashion especially for the boomer set (see the Sarah Palin article). Bravo for making us aware that we can, like Meryl Streep, still be hot babes. Sue (50somethinginfo.blogspot.com)