Only connect - and happiness

These are Eden roses, blooming along the side of my house. All I have to do to have a spiritually-uplifting experience is stand and look at them.  (A photo doesn't do it, and also, this needs to be rotated!!!)  I find their beauty so astounding that just looking at them is a transcendent experience, something that fills me with gratitude for all the beauty that exists in the world, and wonderment that something so otherworldly could be part of my (neglected but beloved) garden.

I forced myself to go out tonight, to an English Country Dance (the kind of dances done in Jane Austen novels, and the kind of dance where women can and do easily dance the male part without any difficulty.  Excellent  quality in a dance!)  I wasn't feeling well, and honestly wasn't certain I should go, but I pushed myself, promising that if I didn't feel well or didn't enjoy it, I could leave as soon as I wanted.

So I went, and I had a simply wonderful time and floated out afterwards feeling - can you guess? - yes, happy.  There were a couple of women who seem like potential friends, which really makes me happy.

Also knowing that I matter to a friend of mine from many, many years ago makes me happy.

I think we all need to feel that someone, somewhere, cares about us and those qualities that make us ourselves.  I certainly do.  To feel loved is one of the most important things in life.  It's one of the things that make teaching so rewarding.  Many of my students do love me, and I give all my students love.  They need it and deserve it.  For myself, lately it has been a source of happiness to think that SZ, someone I knew forty years ago, and who has lived (and is living!) a full, very demanding life, still remembers me and values our friendship after all these years.