My Dad got a cat and he and my step-mom are doting new pawrents. Cleo is an adorable little tuxedo kitten they got from the Humane Society. She is a sweet, well tempered, well behaved kitten that likes people, treats, and her large toy collection. My Dad and step-Mom post many pictures of her and she is the talk of the town when we chat. I never thought, after they lost their dog a few years ago, that they’d get another animal friend, let alone a cat! Thinking of them with Cleo makes me smile as she makes them so happy.

The weekend of my niece’s 25th birthday, my son and I took our RV out to my sister’s. We ‘camped’ in her yard and enjoyed a weekend of merriment. What I enjoyed most was spending the weekend close to my son. We laughed, snacked, and chatted the weekend away. I liked watching my son smile, laugh, and have a good a time with his cousin. My son is quiet shy and introverted so seeing him open up and be more out and about always makes me smile.

Coffee with a good friend of mine came at a time when I really needed a friend. Things had been going on in my world that I hadn’t said very much about and my friend suggested we get together for coffee. While I was going through a difficult time, and she was going through a difficult time, being able to come together and talk, was very helpful. Remembering that we have friends, even when we feel our most alone, makes me smile. Sometimes, we have to remember to reach out, but we really should.

This past summer, my kiddo did summer school. He has had some struggles the past couple of years and needed to make up a course. Make it up he did. HOLY HELL. Thinking back to how incredibly well he did makes me grin ear to ear. He attended well, he got sick the last few days BUT what he missed he TAUGHT HIMSELF and got 90% on the tests and exams. He finished the course with an 85% and we were so immensely proud of him.

Finally, in January, I started attending Women’s Circles at Above Average Yoga & Wellness. These women’s circles are learning, growing, and sharing opportunities, open to anyone. While I was super nervous attending my first one, I was so glad I went. It’s a very welcoming and open community where I have learned a lot about myself and growing into the person I know I can be. There is sometimes a little bit of crying, a lot of laughter, and always opportunity for smiling. You put in what you get out, and I am the homework doing, reading, practice following participant. It is just my style. I look forward to my Thursday night gatherings and on the 29th, I am attending my first all day Women’s Retreat!

I hope that you’ve found opportunity to smile in 2025, no matter how rough the year was, always take time to smile at the little (and big) things.