Happiness is...

To each and every one of us, happiness is something different.
It may be getting a phone call from an old friend. It may be sitting around your living room at the end of the day, toys/ clothes everywhere, completely exhausted, but realizing everything you've ever wanted you have- a home, a child. Or it may be a lick from your favorite pet- whatever!
I think it is really important to realize your happiness, find it if you have to, and cherish it.
For me, happiness is one of the above especially- the happiness I feel when I am near my daughter, especially in our home.
For her, I am pretty sure it is holding and singing (oh, I love when she sings!) lullabies to her kitten.
So, finish your own sentence- Happiness is _____________ .

It's been about a week since we've been home from vacation, and I have settled back in to the daily happenings of all that is Papa Patrick. The first week back I got pretty sick, but am back to my normal (!) for a few days now.
One thing I have been struggling with lately is coming to terms with someone that brought up that old stuff you thought you moved through but realized you haven't moved through. Like, if I were an octopus, I would have squirted that dye stuff they squirt all over his face. Or, I would have got all orangutan on his as_ if I were an orangutan. When it happened, I just shook my head, realized that some people will never change, and after a few hours of letting it sink in, let it go. I think that is my coping mechanism- think, wrap my brain around a story, situation, thing- and let go. Later tonight I got an apology call, I shrugged it off, said sure.
There are so many other positive things going on in my life, I choose to let it go. I can let things get to me- that is also my nature. But I need to stay focused, positive, and forgiving. Like I do. Like I always have. That makes me who I am.
So, if someone/ something has been bothering you, make it a point to let it go. Forgive. Learn something from it if you don't want to forget about it. It will set you free.

Well, we are back from our trip, and it was fun! It was good for me to reconnect with some good people I haven't seen in awhile.
Olivia learned how to swim under water with her nose closed! I am so proud of her! It was cute seeing her kick underwater while holding onto her nose. The sense of accomplishment and pride on her face when she came up for air was priceless!
It is good to be home though- back to my own bed, pets, life. But I am thankful for the rest.

Learning how to swim

Over the past two years, I have been trying to teach my daughter how to swim. Last year it was the kiddie pool, where she only got the bottom of her pony tail wet. We also tried in the bath tub how to hold your breath under water. Well, she didn't like the feel of that, either.
This year, on a trip to Miami, there was a 0 degree entry pool, with the deepest point about a half a head deeper than Olivia was tall. I wanted to try again, so I came up with two rules: 1. Don't panic in the water. 2. Don't breathe under water, because we aren't mermaids. We tried and tried, and finally she went under! She was so proud of herself, and I was, too! She actually went underwater all by herself, and couldn't wait to tell people.
Next week we go to Mexico. I'll let you know how my little fish did!

Family

Ever since I came back from my trip out east for my nephew and God-sons 1st communion, not a day goes by without me thinking of how lucky I am to be a part of my family! Through all my siblings marriages,divorces, family ups and downs, we always are there for each other. In bad times, we become a shoulder to cry on, an open ear; in good times, we exalt in the happiness, and laugh easily.
We try to make a get together at least once a year, and some of us are better than it than others, but we try. This year, all six of us will converge in a small town in Vermont, a town where we were raised during summer breaks. We will be joined with our children, our spouses or partners, and just have a family time! I am fortunate that both my parents are alive and well. There will be at times when my sibs and I will revert to being kids! We'll reminisce, tell stupid stories about each other and laugh about it, and just be happy. We will talk into the night on dads back porch. Hopefully we can go fishing! I would also love to show my daughter the mountain that I used to play on when I was a kid, a mountain since 1976 my family has been a part of. The old ranger station; the reservoir; the beautiful trees... the same mountain that one can see from my dads back porch. For the kids to see. For us to see again. To reconnect.
Yes, I am fortunate indeed.