OPINION: Enjoying the simple pleasures

As a child, we really don’t notice things like the rain or the sun. If it’s raining so be it. If it’s a clear day, that’s great too.

It isn’t until we get older that we begin to appreciate little things that as children we so often took for granted. It probably has something to do with the fact that as adults our lives are filled with more stress. From work to bills to countless other responsibilities, we can’t help but feel bothered when the small things we take pleasure in are taken away, even for a little while.

It’s those things which help us get through the winter blues and sprint full-speed into spring.

Some of the things which are no longer taken for granted from my perspective include:

•birds singing in the backyard after we take more food and water to them. Their bright colors help cut through the grayness of winter and remind us that spring truly is not far away.

•a peaceful weekend after a hectic week at work.

•talks with an old friend and how you realize that even though your childhoods were years — decades — ago, that those events of yesterday are only a conversation away.

•the first signs of new flowers for the year, signifying how much closer spring is and how much closer winter is to being over for another time.

•the closeness of your co-workers and realizing your life wouldn’t be the same without them on a daily basis.

•the times when the power bill is opened and my heart doesn’t stop for a moment.

•an afternoon nap.

•the fact that there are a few people left who know the difference between a television news anchor or reporter and a slanted talk show host.

•memories of columns by Lewis Grizzard and Celestine Sibley and for the fact I can still read new ones from Furman Bisher from time to time.

•when the auto repair shop tells me that nothing needs working on under the hood.

•the enjoyment of holding a new book in your hands and beginning the process once again of discovering the contents within.

•a time when it was not necessary for 90 percent of drivers you see to be talking on a cell phone. Are those conversations really that important?

•how an old movie or an old song can take you back to the year they were released.

•the site of an old barn in a field that can still be seen from time to time off the highway. There’s one not far from where I live and I always make a note to glance over at it.

•memories of the Steelers and Cowboys meeting in the Super Bowl back during the 70s. More focus was on the game then and not all the hype and hoopla.

•those friends who check in on you daily. Yes, it’s easier to do with e-mail, texting and such, but knowing someone thinks enough of you to do so does mean a great deal.

•for the times when the phone doesn’t ring in the middle of the night or very early in the morning. We all know it usually is not good news at those hours.

•those who have guided us, influenced us and encouraged us during our adventures in life. From family members to friends, we should never take anyone we care about for granted. Nothing is guaranteed in life from one week to the next or one day to the next. It’s why we should all be thankful for those little things which make life more enjoyable.

Chris Bridges is editor of the Barrow Journal, a sister publication of The Banks County News. You can reach him at cbridges@barrowjournal.com.