50 Reasons Why I'm Happy

The other day I sat on a swing in my backyard.  My bare feet soaked up the sun as if it were a summer day.  I closed my eyes and thought of fifty reasons why I'm happy...

1. I'm married to the love of my life.
2. I have three precious children.
3. I have a mother who loves me without fail.
4. I mended a broken fence with my father before he said his final good-bye.
5. I discovered why I'm here on this planet.
6. A higher authority is in charge of my life.
7. As tough as the journey may be, I know I will cross the finish line no matter what.
8.  I have the best team of business partners in the world.
9. Even though some of my enemies haven't forgiven me, I've forgiven them...all of them.
10. I'm surrounded by loving siblings, Aunts, Uncles, cousins and in-laws.
11. I have friends in my church community who encourage me.
12. I always get up after every fall.
13. I have friends all over the world.
14. New technology helps me to keep in touch with my friends.
15. My writers critique group is filled with people who are willing to mentor me.
16. My tennis friends, past and present.
17. Every person who offered me encouragement, a smile, or a pat on the back.
18. Every person who read something I wrote and found something of value.
19. My spiritual role models.
20. My ancestors.
21. Those who serve our country in the military.
22. The firefighters who saved my home against all odds.
23. Jack Lalanne, who autographed his picture and sent words of encouragement just before his exit.
24. Bruce Marchiano, plays Jesus on the big screen, lives Jesus on the small screen.
25. Jeni Stepanek, first best-selling author to say yes to my blog interview request.
26. Erma Bombeck.
27. My teachers and classmates from MHT.
28. My teachers and classmates from SHS, especially "Snora."
29. My teachers and classmates from Glendale CC.
30. My teachers and classmates from ASU.
31. My tennis mentors.
32. My business mentors.
33. My Facebook friends.
34. My Google+ friends.
35. My Twitter friends.
36. All things Google.
37. The sunrises.
38. The sunsets.
39. Creative people.
40. Caregivers.
41. My neighbors.
42. Createspace.
43. Musicians.
44. Writers and bloggers.
45. YOU...yes, YOU, the one reading this list right now, wondering if I'm thankful for YOU.  Yes, I am.  And I will always remember YOU, no matter how far away I'm sent, I will always be thankful for YOU and I will always remember YOU.
46. My daily bread.
47. God, the Father, the Creator of the universe.
48. God, the Son, the One who died for you and me so that we may have new life.
49. God, the Holy Spirit, the One who inspires me to write about why I'm happy.
50. Creation...a wondrous marvel filled with infinite reasons for all of us to be happy.

What is your number one reason for being happy?  I would love to hear it.  It will add to my happiness.