A little over a year ago, I found my happy place. When I'm getting a massage or at a spa party and someone says to go to my happy place, I go to someplace unusual and uncommon to most happy places. And recently, I find myself going there more and more. I've had lots of stress in my life as of late and I feel I almost need that happy place every day now. When most people day dream of their happy place, they envision oceans, beaches, cool breezes, solitude, but not me. When someone tells me to go to my happy place I envision crowds, smells of baked goods and desserts and the sound of ragtime music. As I make my way down the street I hear laughter of kids squealing with delight (or screaming their heads off depending on the time of day). I hear people talking about their game plan of how to tackle the day. As I continue strolling, I turn to the right to the Market House where I smell freshly ground coffee and the sounds of the early morning. Old fashioned telephones are situated in the market house to enjoy the old time conversations of party lines. Conversations of no importance tie up the party lines and it brings giggles to the people eavesdropping. I make my way through the line, conversing with the people around me, who are at first, total strangers but within minutes become friends on the journey. The smell of the coffee is getting stronger now. I'm now the next person in line and order my medium coffee with a touch of room for cream and Splenda. I saunter over to the condiment counter and doctor up the coffee. Sounds of main street music, bells and horns of the main street vehicles and the clippity clop of the horse drawn cars waft in as I get lost in stirring my coffee. I make my way out to the umbrella patio tables and chairs. Shade is plenty in this little hidden treasure. The fruit cart hides the area away from the hustle and bustle. The caffeinated beverages warms my throat all the way down to my toes. I close my eyes and enjoy every sound, smell and taste of this place. All of a sudden I hear an out of tune piano playing up in the second story window. A woman is giving a piano lesson. Then in another window, a man starts yelling because his shower is too cold and we get to hear his morning routine of gargling and singing in the shower. There is a dentist drilling on a patient in another window. It's fun to hear the soundtracks play in those second story windows. Time slowly passes by with each sip of my coffee as I watch people rush to the many lands offered to each guest. I am totally and completely content with people watching. I smile knowing all the fun that awaits once the coffee cup is empty. I pack my coffee receipt away. I remind myself to remember and save the coffee receipt, as I get free refills all day.
Anytime I want to relive my morning ritual in this happy place, I can do so. And I'm off to be the kid at heart that I always know is waiting to escape. I've been blessed to be able to be at my happy place twice in 12 months and I hope, one day soon, I'll get to go back. But for now, I can relive the memories when I freshly brew my own cup of coffee and sip the warm yummy beverage from my favorite Snow White mug, play the Main Street music on my iPod, and go to my happy place-The Coffee Spot on Main Street, USA in Disneyland, Anaheim, California.
I hope you all have a happy place that you can go to when things get stressful. Take time away from all the madness in your life. Find little memories and mementos to remind you and you can travel to your happy place anytime you want. I hope you all can go visit you happy places sometime soon, in person, but in the meantime, have fun creating your happy place and visiting your place often.
