Things that Make Me Smile

I love when I catch myself smiling when I’m all by myself. Nerdy, I know, but to me, that’s a sign of genuine happiness. I caught myself grinning from ear to ear while reading some student essays today, and for a minute the whole world was zoned out. It was just me alone in my classroom, completely consumed in the depth of my 8th graders’ work.

Other times in the past week that I’ve “caught” myself smiling alone (and may or may not have felt mildly completely embarrassed):

*Sitting alone in my car at a red light, watching an elderly lady try and run with drag her 2 lb. dog across the street before the light turned. It was precious.

*Walking along 4th avenue in Tucson and seeing Jamie’s red celica fly right by me while he was looking for me. I didn’t even care that he drove right by me; I was just so happy to see that car again after five weeks.

*Sitting in the back of a huge plane with a blanket and headphones, trying to control my seemingly uncontrolled laughter while watching The Grown Ups on the TV hanging above the aisle.

*Reading a hysterical email from a parent that I roomed with on an 8th grade retreat last week. My kids were taking a test, and every one of them turned around to look at me with puzzled eyes. Yes, your teacher did just bust out laughing while you’re taking a test. I read something funny. Get over it. 🙂