How often do you stop what you are doing and just enjoy the simple pleasures given to us each day? A sunrise, a sunset, a rainbow…. Whenever this happens to me, I say a quick prayer of thanks, and then I often call one of my best friends, Gloria, to share in God’s glory. I once crossed a bridge while driving in California, and from my vantage point, I could see the beautiful Pacific coast. It was breathtaking, so I called at that very moment to share it with her. 

Another unique part of our friendship is that Gloria and I both have a passion for singing. The funny thing is, she sings with open abandon, but often times it’s really hard to pick up the tune she’s laying down. So I have to stop her mid-sentence to say, “Wait. Start again, and maybe I will guess it this next time. Nope. I have no idea what you are singing.” Then we laugh so hard because she is truly thinking she has perfect pitch. In her head it sounds perfect anyway. Then, I Google the song, and indeed I’ve heard it before. It just didn’t sound the same when she sang it. 

This week, I received a text from Gloria that reminded me of simple pleasures for which we should be grateful. The moment I received it, I knew I would share it with all of you. It’s just that good. It went something like this. 

Gloria visits with her mom, Lu, at the IHM in Monroe almost every evening. Her sweetheart of a mom is there in assisted living, full-time now. Living with dementia for several years now, Lu is one of the loveliest, kindest women I know. Gloria is so appreciative that her mom is thankful, joyful and so loving. While visiting her this week, Gloria had the honor of eating dinner with her mom and four nuns, also living at the IHM. As one might expect, the nuns were discussing the beauty of Gloria’s name and the angel Gloria. 

1st nun: Breaks out into song and sings the Gloria part of “Angel’s We Have Heard on High.” 2nd nun: That was real pretty. Let’s sing a Christmas carol that all of us could sing. 1st nun: Gloria, you start the song for us since you’re the angel. Gloria: Starts singing “Silent Night,” and they all join in. 1st nun: That was beautiful. 3rd nun: Let’s sing another one. “How about Silent Night”? Gloria: Starts to sing it again. 2nd nun: That was beautiful. Let’s sing one more. 3rd nun: How about “Silent Night”? 1st nun: Oh I love that one. Gloria: Begins singing “Silent Night” again. Everyone is singing with gusto!

They all finish, and one of the nuns pipes up and thinks they should sing just one more Christmas carol before dinner. 2nd nun: How about “Silent Night” this time? 1st nun: I think we sang that one already, but we could sing it again. Gloria: Begins singing “Silent Night” and the nun choir, and her mom all join in. 

It’s moments like this that makes one appreciate the simple pleasures in life. Dave hitting Day 100 after his latest transplant is not just a simple pleasure. Today is monumental and one that we are abundantly grateful.