Happiness is ‘Peanuts’ and Memories

For the last few days, the song Happiness from Charlie Brown has been circling around inside my head.  I hummed it while getting ready for bed last night and cooking dinner today.

It’s really not a mystery why.  I’m using the Peanuts Gang in my classroom for decorations.  I hadn’t planned on using them, but someone gave me the decorations at the end of last year, and when I started pulling posters out of the closet at school, they caught my attention.  Up on the wall they went!

 

Happiness is two kinds of ice cream
Finding your skate key
Telling the time

The ice cream line is one that I remember singing from Music class when I was in 4th grade.  I have a great love for ice cream!  Maybe that’s why I remember that line so well.

I don’t usually eat ice cream at home, but while I’m ‘away’ on trips, I try to eat it at least one time and usually more than once!  Peanut butter, any type of nuts, and chocolate are a few of the ingredients I adore perched on the top of a waffle cone.  I think eating ice cream tastes the best licking it directly from the cone

Skating . . . balance, I don’t have that!  One time, we bought in-line skates thinking we’d actually use them.  I tried, but hanging on the kitchen cabinets while trying to stay upright is not called skating!  I think Cam and John skated some, but overall, I think we wasted money.

My first wristwatch had a Mickey Mouse figure.  His hands went around as the hands on the clock.  I don’t recall having trouble learning to tell time.  Since then, I’ve had two Goofy watches.  Some items just have sweet memories attached.

Now, time is passing way too quickly.  I’d love to be able to re-live precious days, but that isn’t possible, so I try to embrace my life here and now, find joy and make new memories.

Happiness is learning to whistle,
Tying a shoe
For the very first time.

Memories . . .  of my mom whistling songs while I was growing up.  Man! She could whistle the melody as beautiful as an instrument.   I loved listening to her.

Memories . . . of teaching Cameron to tie his shoes.  I preferred buying him Velcro shoes because I didn’t have to keep telling him to tie shoes.  As a teacher, I still find myself telling kids to, “Tie your shoes.” Do you remembering learning to tie?  I barely can, but I remember trying to teach my youngest brother, David.

And happiness is playing the drum,
In your own school band.
And happiness is walking hand in hand.

Band memories  . . .  not as a student, but as a parent.  Cam started band in fifth grade at Hudson Pep and then we moved to Hallsville in sixth grade and band continued.  I worked in the concession stand at school for six years as a dutiful band parent.   Heck, I didn’t even know the rules of football until Cameron’s freshman year.  I learned them.  We went to football games because of the band.

 

I can say that now that I appreciate football, but watching the band march is still a highlight of the game.   John and I only chaperoned the bus once when Cam was in Jr. High.  One long ride back and forth to Six Flags was enough.  The senior band cruise was difficult for me because John died only three months before.  We had planned on going together, but one of Cameron’s friend’s mom stepped in his place.  I was emotional, but I’m glad that I went.  It was a good trip with sweet memories attached.

Walking holding hands . . . with John.  Holding Cameron’s hand when he was little.  John and I swinging him between us while we walked and laughing . . . all three of us.  Cam and I holding John’s hand as he went to meet our heavenly Father.

Happiness is five different crayons,
Knowing a secret,
Climbing a tree.

Crayons . . . ugh!  Usually crayons need picked up off the classroom floor!  Why can kids not put the colors back in the crayon box?

Secrets . . . yes, I can keep one, but I’d rather share it!

Climbing a tree was never anything I was good at because I don’t enjoy heights and I have no upper body strength to pull myself up.

Happiness is finding a nickel,
Catching a firefly,
Setting him free.

Nickels . . . I like finding money.  When Cam and John were home, I’d find money in the washer or dryer.  I usually kept it if it was one dollar bills.  I just thought of it as being paid to do laundry!  Now, if I find money in the washer, I know it was mine anyway.  Remember the joy of catching fireflies when you were little?  I do.  At my Great-Grannie’s house we’d run around and catch them.  It seemed like there were hundreds out in her yard at a time.  We’d take them inside in a mason jar, watching them flicker on and off in the dark.  I don’t think they were often set free.  Sometimes, I’m sure they died during the night.  I still enjoy watching the fireflies flicker in the backyard in the darkness.

And happiness is being alone every now and then.
And happiness is those who sing with you.

Being alone?  I know some people enjoy the break from their family.  Once I did too, however, now I’d like to spend time with people.  I have enough alone time.  God has graced me with the sweetest people to be my friends.  Alone time is greatly over-rated.

Singing . . .  one of my great joys.  I don’t have a great voice, but I do love belting out songs in my car while driving or while I’m home.  Music speaks to my soul.  Once I actually heard my voice on a video and it almost put me off singing in church…Almost, but I just can’t make myself stop.  I do, however, try not to stand behind anyone directly when I sing!  : )

Happiness is morning and evening,
Daytime and nighttime too.
Happiness is anyone and anything at all
That’s loved by you.

I believe that being positive is a choice and a gift.  How can I not be?  God has shown Himself to be gracious in all phases of my life.  My strength and hope is in Him.

Thankful that I get to enjoy this impressive creation that our heavenly Father created for us.  Glad that I’m aware and appreciate the joys of this world and that I have a positive outlook.

Love . . .  the greatest gift and showered over me in abundance.

Peanuts
BY CHARLES M. SCHULZ

A Funny Reflection:

John loved to play practical jokes on me.  Sometimes, it would be a story that I’d fall for (Yes, I’m still that gullible) and sometimes, he would jump out and scare me.  Whenever that happened, he’d say, “I’ll really hold the ball for you this time.”