In the gardening basket that I won in a raffle, was a plaque with the message “Enjoy simple pleasures.” It prompted me to think of little things that give me satisfaction and joy.

Each weekend I play the piano for residents of the Village where I live. This past Saturday Mary came for the first time. Next month she will be 100 years old. She moved her walker next to the piano bench and asked me to sing as I played so she could hear the words and sing along. She began singing harmony in a rich alto voice! At the same time 85-year-old George, who said he could no longer had breath to sing, stood behind me and every once in a while joined in a line or two. The singing of these two people made me very happy—happier than if I splurged to attend an opera or a rock concert!

We thank God for big favors but take little things for granted. Here are ten of my simple pleasures:

• Snapping a piece into place in a jigsaw puzzle

• Crawling into bed under newly cleaned sheets

• Having a good hair day

• Discovering that liver and onions are on our convent menu (sorry liver-haters!)

• Walking from the heat into an air-conditioned room

• Receiving an unexpected thank-you note

• Being smiled at

• Finding a lost object

• Smelling freshly cut grass

• Seeing the herbs I planted spout up

You might wish to compile your own list of simple pleasures.

When the Son of God became man, he, too, enjoyed the simple pleasures of earth. One instance the Gospels reveal occurred when the disciples came back from their preaching mission with great excitement: “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

I imagine that these were some little things that gave Jesus joy:

• Watching a sunrise over the Sea of Galilee

• The fragrance of cut wood in Joseph’s workshop

• Drinking cold well water on a hot day

• Holding the toddlers that were brought to him to bless

• Putting on a new robe Mary made for him

• Using his supernatural powers to make people happy

• Savoring the last supper meal

• Dancing at a wedding

• Viewing the faces of the people soaking up his words

• Sitting surrounded by friends at Martha’s house

What are ten simple pleasures that you enjoy?