Things that warm the heart

It's late, again.
And a ruffled mind makes a restless pillow -- Charlotte Bronte.

So...I got to thinking about things that really, truly make me feel joy and love.
Honestly, not many things these days do.
But the things that do are worth way more than anything else.
I'll be adding as I go as well. Maybe this'll turn into one of those never-ending things.

1. When I wake up late into the night and my dogs are up too, almost too sleepy to function, but following me down the hall anyway, smiling and wagging their tails.

2. When my nephew walks up to me, all smiles and open arms, for a hug. That makes me melt like nothing else in the world.

3. When my dog Stitch "knocks" on my door. When I open it, she's right there with eyes wide with hope that I'll let her in. Who could say no to that face?

4. When Stitch follows me around. I often wonder why she would want to be around me at all. But she does. For some reason, I'm the one she goes to. And it kinda makes me feel special.

5. Hearing a horse's nicker. I love that sound.

6. Whenever I see my nephew, he gives me the biggest smile. I can't explain that at all.

7. When my nephew wants me to play with him. Again, it's one of those things where I ask, "Why would you chose me, of all people?"

8. When I see friends I haven't seen in forever, and it's like we were never apart.

9. When my dog Stitch knows when I feel lonely. This evening, I was feeling down, watching some TV, and she was laying on the opposite side of the room. She lifted her head and stared at me. She has this intense gaze. Her large auburn-gold eyes gazing into my muddy brown. Then she got up and layed down next to me, looking up at me occasionally. That dog just knows when I'm feeling down and alone.