Got a Happy Story? Anniversary Edition

Got a Happy Story is a community gathering every Friday night where we share stories large and small that have put a smile on our face.  It is a time to acknowledge the joy and wonder we experience.  The Happy Story diary exists as a way to anchor the community in hope and comfort while we do the hard work of taking back our country. Everyone and all sorts of stories and pictures are welcome. May we find joy and strength here.

I was talking with Eddie C on the phone yesterday and he informed me that 4/13 is the one year anniversary our reign with this diary series.  While I haven't been with Happy Story since its inception, once I found the series I commented regularly.  My first Happy Story comment was February 2006 and it was about my son.

spelling homework (4.00 / 6)
My nine year old had to write a sentence for each spelling word. The sentence he came up with for dishonest? "Richard Nixon told lies and was dishonest in 1974."

Eddie's first Happy Story comment is here in December 2006 on walking NYC neighborhoods.

My first diary in the series was about my sister and my grandmother.  In the intro to the diary I mentioned that Eddie would be writing the diary the following week.  Initially we thought it would continue rotating as cosmic debris, Delaware Dem, mango, SLJ, and mrsdbrown1 had filled in when Carnacki and Darrell stepped aside after 2 years with the series.  But after Eddie and I ended up alternating back and forth a few times we kind of got attached to the series.  So we kept it.

Eddie and me, photo by Dania Audax

The highlight of our cohosting was the diary we posted together from yearlyKos.  We'd made plans to eat dinner together after one of the workshops.  Eddie wanted to revisit an adorable little restaurant he'd been to years ago.  So we savored the meal, lingered over dessert, and then strolled out to the Water Tower.  All of a sudden I realized that it was Friday and I was due to post Happy Story.  Fortunately, I had my laptop with me but we scrambled to find free wireless access.  

The restaurant, photo by Eddie C

Water Tower, photo by Eddie C

It was a lovely warm summer evening and the people around the Water Tower thought we were odd to be looking for wireless access.  I hoped we were in luck when I spotted a Borders, only to find they were wired for a specific plan.  Fortunately the barista was able to direct us to a lovely little coffee house.  Eddie and I traded off writing paragraphs just to get something posted.  We passed my laptop back and forth while drinking big mugs of chamomile tea.  We giggled the whole time.  I doubted that anyone would show since we were 1½  hours late posting.  But people came along to share their happy stories from the week.

Water Tower, photo by Eddie C

Water Tower, photo by Eddie C

Eddie says his favorite diary that he's written is the one with photos from yearlyKos.  My favorite of his is either his first one, on ice cream, or one from last November, onwalking.  My favorite of my own diaries is the second diary that I wrote for the series, on the Atlantic Ocean.  Eddie's favorite of mine is my ode to rowing.

I've been thinking about this past year of Friday nights and of the stories that I've read in the comments.  Kossacks getting raises, adopting pets, getting new jobs, raising children, completing courses, going on dates, celebrating anniversaries, getting accepted to college, buying houses, reuniting with old friends, visiting with family, seeing flowers bloom, phonebanking for candidates, meeting each other, going for hikes, welcoming grandchildren, moving, quitting smoking, posting diaries---making a difference and enjoying life.  

I also think about what Eddie and I have been through as we were writing this series.  My husband was undergoing radiation for prostate cancer and my son had surgery.  Eddie lost his job and has been dealing with unemployment.  And our country has continued to be burdened by the Bush administration and their collaborators in the marketplace and in Congress.  Despite these challenges, this year I worked for a candidate  and Eddie has posted an amazing array of diaries on labor and politics.  In spite of cancer and unemployment we've been able to continue working in our own small way toward a better future.  So minimally the series has accomplished what it set out to do, at least for the two of us.

Got a Happy Story was originally started by Carnacki on 1/21/05.  Part of it read:

It's a cold and wintry night at the end of a difficult week.
Someone, either pastor dan or Raybin or Plutonium Page, will be along shortly with a "What's Your Fucking Problem" diary to allow us to vent.

I want to do something different. I want to hear your happy stories...

It's going to be a long four years. We must not give into darkness and despair.

Please share your happy stories, big or small.

Bush had been sworn in for his second term and the community was still reeling.  The second diary in the series appeared the following Friday saying:

I thought I would post another similar diary in a month. Then this past week occurred. The war was still awful. Too many young lives were lost. Too many horrors endured. But the Democrats are fighting back for our country. New Kossacks joined: Barbara Boxer, the Senate Democratic Communications Center, Drain Bamaged. Kossacks on hiatus rejoined: JamesB3. I admit: I'm superstitious. I believe in the supernatural power of prayer, karma, positive energy and good vibes. The sharing of joy and happiness can help us get through the cold and dark nights of this administration.

The series just happened to coincide with a Friday.  Eddie and I have wondered about moving the series to another night, possibly Mondays.  It is difficult to be single in NYC and be tied to a computer every Friday night.  It's also difficult to be family bound in the suburbs and be tied to a computer every Friday night.  Additionally, there are many other community diary series on Friday, whereas Mondays are lighter.  What do you all think of potentially changing the day?  And what's your happy story this week?

Eddie and me, photo by Common Sense Mainer