Finding Happiness: The Ginger Approach

Ginger, my friend of forty-six years, shared her favorite meme last week in a Facebook comment on one of my posts. I wasn’t the least bit surprised—it suits her perfectly. She’s a master at creating all kinds of things, including happiness—both her own and everyone else’s.

She is a creative. Not just "likes-to-doodle-on-napkins" creative, but the kind of creative who can take an idea, some wood, and a few power tools, and—voilà!—turn it into something both practical and delightful.

Over the years, she has gifted me a small wooden planter, a cutting board, a wine bottle and glass holder, the world's best spice rack (which she designed and built for us), and a beautifully crafted crèche. And those are just the ones I can remember off the top of my head. She also makes custom furniture—but only under two conditions: (1) you must have a very specific idea in mind, and (2) you must have scoured every store in existence and failed to find it. Only then will Ginger step in like a woodworking fairy godmother and make your dream a reality.

But her talents don’t stop at sawdust and varnish. She plays guitar (and, knowing her, probably a few other instruments she’s never bothered to mention). Several of her main course recipes have become family staples—her chicken cordon bleu and stroganoff, in particular, have achieved legendary status in our household. I also own several of her cross-stitch projects, including one she incorporated into a custom wooden tray, complete with a glass cover to protect the delicate stitching. Because of course she did.

If something needs fixing, building, or generally improving—Ginger’s got it covered. She also writes. And reads. Once upon a time, when we were much younger and convinced we had all the time in the world, we set out to write a book together. I still have the original binder, filled with our notes and several chapters brimming with ambition and enthusiasm. These days, she writes me snail mail letters, and they are just as delightful—little paper-bound gems of wit and warmth.

All of this to say: she is an essential ingredient in the happiness I "have created for myself over the years." That meme she loves? It fits her perfectly. And if there were a next frame in the cartoon, it would undoubtedly show her sharing her happiness with whoever was searching for it. Because that’s just who she is.