Happiness or Strength.......

I have a friend who posted a message for her daughter's birthday about a week ago....wishing her happiness every day.

I've been thinking about that post ever since. And I understand that this is a lovely and loving thing to wish for our kids. Happiness every single day.....for the rest of their lives. I'm sure I've said the same thing over the years. But my "kids" are much older now......very accomplished adults raising their own families, pursuing their own careers.

So it got me to thinking about happiness.....and the idea of wishing that someone would have it every day. Every day.

Is that what I wish for the people I love? Do I wish them an impossible dream?

I think, instead, I wish them strength. Happiness will come....and some days will be happier than others, but I wish them strength.  So that when the hard times come, and they will, they can get through them. I wish them strength to face disappointments, because they will come as well. I wish them the strength to get through loss.....because that will also be a part of their lives....an unavoidable part.

If I had to choose I guess I would wish my "kids" and grandkids strength......and optimism and joy and love and, of course, a huge dose of happiness along the way.