One of my friends posted something on Facebook the other day about finding the “glimmers” in life, the litte moments that are special, that make you smile, that light up your day.

It made me think. There are so many little moments that we just smile, and then forget about. Life is full of sadness at times. I’ve lost so many people, some to death, some have followed different paths, some have turned their backs. And still, there are moments of joy, moments of happiness, moments of pure love in my life.

Today I ran errands with Maverick. We went to pay the property taxes (NOT a moment of joy, that one! Ouch!) Then we went to the beer store because one needs beer to navigate this crazy world. Our next stop was the little corner grocery store. It changed ownership a few years ago, and I was not happy. i don’t deal well with change. However, they’ve managed to retain the character of the place while making some necessary repairs and upgrades so I’ll still shop there. They also have the best cold cuts around. (The first time I told the Bear I got him cold cuts for lunch, he looked at me like I was speaking Mandarin. it’s “lunch meat” round here!)

The first time I got the above mentioned “cold cuts” at this store, I went to the deli counter, looked at the line, and asked where the number thingie was. I’m from NY, you take a damned number at the deli counter. The people in line looked confused. “We just take our turn” I was told. I was skeptical. I watched to see who came in after me, knowing that someone would push forwards. Well, When I found the Bear later, I was still in shock. “There are no numbers! No one jumped the line! Everyone was polite!” He couldn’t understand why I was so gobsmacked. I’d never seen such behavior!

This has not changed. People are still incredibly polite at that counter and that, in itself, is a moment of joy. People also tend to chat about their purchases. “You’re getting the farmer cheese? How IS that? I’ve never tried it!” Today the lady ahead of me was getting liverwurst. Liverwurst is not sliced, they cut a chunk. It’s nasty stuff, the last time I bought it was when Maverick had to take pills and even he wouldn’t eat it after a few times. However, I thought I’d get some and try to freeze little balls and take to traiing classes. So I said to the lady, “Is that liverwurst?” She said yes. I asked what she planned to do with it, because dog training is always on my mind and I love to talk about it. She said she was going to make liverwurst and onion sandwhiches, which are, in her words, truly disgusting but she really wanted one.

My sister Betty, who died 30 some years ago, LOVED liverwurst and onion sandwiches and would torment me with them. (THey really are disgusting) I smiled, memories washing over me, and told the lady, “Oh my gosh, you just made me remember my sister, and I’m going to smile all day! Thank you!” She lit up, and thanked me.

Glimmers. Look for them, they’re all around us.