Thanks for making my heart sing

OH, YOU do cheer me up! I felt gloomy because of three things (the weather, Islamists, politics, if you must know), but then I read all your delightful emails telling me, as I requested, about three things that make your heart sing. You won’t be surprised that the three most common ones come under the broad categories of: 1. The natural world and pets; 2. Partners (including memories of late beloved spouses); 3. Adult children and (especially) grandchildren. Then there were the more unusual ones — such as Debbie’s delight in whacking a tennis ball hard, Glenys seeing her washing drying outside on a sunny day, Peter’s books, and Sue’s pleasure at seeing someone else’s St. Bernard in a sidecar! Pamela celebrates recovering from a mastectomy and Margaret adores the praise of her friends when they see her hand-made jewellery. Kathryn is uplifted by worshipping God, while Margaret loves music. So many more . . . but I think my favourite list came from Anne L., who writes: 1. After recently being diagnosed with severe osteoporosis aged 66 and becoming housebound, I love my lounge with my bed tucked away at the back. I leave a lamp on overnight, and if I wake in the night, the room still looks lovely. 2. My husband put a bird table and pots with plants outside the patio window where I sit. Birds flock here, together with a mouse and I had a visit from a baby hedgehog this week. 3. Just before I go to sleep, I tell my family (including the ones deceased) that I love them. Then I tell each dog we have had in the family over the years that I love them. My special love goes to my best friend ever, my Jack, a Jack Russell I had for 15 years but who passed away two years ago. Then I go to sleep! Lovely readers thanked me for the exercise — and I send thanks right back for making

my heart sing.