That’s what I want more of this year.

Last night we watched a movie, make that two movies, before going to bed, and I was laughing a lot. I wasn’t just laughing at the movies (the first one was not a comedy, after all), but simply because I was happy, and S was making me laugh. Not with jokes or funny stories, but with silly things like tickles, his dance moves in the kitchen, or even just with a look over his glasses. It was a laid-back evening that proved that it really is the simple things in life that make it worth living. Sharing them with someone special is icing on the cake.

I was going to say that I wasted too much time crying in 2020 and 2021, but I think it’s possible that it wasn’t a waste of time. Crying can be cathartic. It was a stress reliever. I spent hours reflecting and meditating and thinking while I shed all those tears. I think they were part of the growth I know I experienced in the last year. But those tears were all born from sadness and I don’t want to be sad anymore.

I want to laugh. I want to laugh so hard I’m worried about peeing in my pants (without actually doing that, of course). I want to dance. I want hugs and kisses and snuggles on the couch. I want to smile as the sunshine warms my face.

So far I’m off to a good start. I found myself dancing while I made the bed yesterday, and then dancing as I walked into S’s place and heard the music playing. The sun hasn’t been shining much recently, but I know it’s just behind the clouds.

I’m confident that I will have much to smile about in 2022, many reasons to laugh, and plenty of opportunities to dance. I hope the same for you.