One of My Favorite Things...

I suppose that a pair of warm, woolen mittens would come in handy if it was so cold that the snowflakes were staying on my nose and eye lashes, but none of these things would number in "My Favorite Things" list as they did for Maria, the young governess/nanny of the Von Trapp family.*

I imagine that each of us has that unwritten list of things that can make you smile to yourself at any moment and brighten up an otherwise dreary day.

I was thinking about that the other day when I was talking to my baby sister on the phone. (She is far from being a baby, but I had mention it after her "favorite oldest brother" comment on Facebook.) Yeah, she is one of those people that makes me smile.

I smile because it is so obvious that she really loves being a mom (even on days when she is looking forward to being alone are foiled by a sick child).
I smile when I hear that she and my niece (her oldest) are out late at night, bundled in blankets, watching a meteor shower.
I smile when I hear her laugh or when she has a story to tell about her kids.
I smile when I get a text from her that says, "He said goodbye." (sorry for the inside joke on an outside forum)
I even smile when I see other ladies that are all into being moms. They remind me of my baby sister.

Face it, the kid makes me smile.

It really is too bad that many miles separate me from all of my siblings. I love hearing about what they're up to through e-mails (I guess that dates us), Facebook and the occasional text message. I love getting together with them on the rare occasions that we are able to manage to coordinate our schedules. I love them all, but it's baby sister that seems to be able to make me smile the most often.

Who (or what) makes you smile?
One of your favorite people? One of your favorite things?
Share with me in the comments.

John <><

* The Sound of Music