A Happier Life

by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Houses outlive the people they love.

It was our job to remember every word spoken, every breath breathed, to store their secrets and successes, heartbreaks and joys, and keep them safe.

that is the plight of old houses. At some point in our seemingly infinite lives, we may be forgotten. And so, we must cling to the joys and secrets forever stored within our walls, until we are remembered again.

Jonathan and I think consciously recoupling is the right thing for us.”

I’m not sure what this means

another sick feeling washes over me: Worse than getting dumped, worse than getting fired, I’m going to have to tell my mother she was right.

When she wanted to do something, look out world. But what she doesn’t want to deal with, she ignores. Her problems. Her small children. And, evidently, a house.

I am mesmerized by the way the sun dances on the water, illuminating the dreamy marshes on my left and the open water on my right.

The water is only a block in front of me, and, even from a distance, the sun shining on it creates a sea of diamonds.

I love this

“This place is magical,” I say, taking in the beauty of the quaint downtown. I love places where you can work and live and eat and shop without ever getting in your car. It was one of the things that always appealed to me about Manhattan.

Ditto!

Being the person who cares for others is an undervalued role in our society. But it is, I’ve found, perhaps the very most important role one can play.

True

am the very definition of lost right now, and I need a North Star. I need something to set me on my path. Don’t you have to know where you came from to figure out where you’re going?

If I can’t even get rid of curtains, I’m going to be in trouble when it comes time for the sentimental things.

Geeze, I can definitely relate to this one.

She looked around Patricia’s beautiful, cozy home that, only two doors down from her own, had existed on this street since the mid-1700s. Becks and Patricia often discussed that one could never really own a home like this. No, they were simply its caretakers until the next generation came along.

There’s something about the bond between a brother and sister that can’t ever really be broken, something about the person who has been by your side through every single thing you’ve ever faced. There’s a comfort level with Harris I don’t have with anyone else, an understanding we share about the lives we’ve led that no one else could ever get. But it’s simple moments like this that I love most.

I miss my brother so much!

With gifts and women, lunches and decisions, sometimes presentation is absolutely everything.

Your head gets so tangled with all its important thoughts. But somewhere, deep inside, an answer already exists. When you find it, you will know.

Some people cast a bright light while others stand in the shadows. If I had to stand in the shadows so that you could shine, well, so be it. Keep shining, my girl. Keep shining.

I hope it made you smile or tear up or think about someone special in your life. I hope it reminded you that it’s never too late to begin again and that, sometimes, we find our next steps in totally unexpected ways.

OATMEAL COOKIES 2 sticks of butter, room temperature 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup white sugar 2 eggs 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 cups oatmeal (quick cooking) 1 cup chopped pecans In a bowl, cream the butter, then add the sugars and mix well. Add the eggs, flour, baking soda, vanilla, oatmeal, and pecans and mix well. Roll the dough onto wax paper and wrap in a 1 ½- to 2-inch-diameter roll. Refrigerate the dough overnight. Slice the dough into thin rounds and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 9 to 11 minutes until slightly brown.

I want to try this recipe!