Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandmother visiting older relatives, but my favorite visits were when we saw her brother, or as I knew him, Uncle Sam. He lived alone as long as I knew him and had no car, so he never really went far, but he was one of the most joyful people I ever met.

Everywhere he went, he would either walk or take his pushbike. Clearly, he was one of the more observant people out there because whenever we visited, he was always excited to show off his new collection of bits and pieces he had found on the side of the road. From old coins to batteries to weird little nick nacks that looked like they used to be something, but we had no idea what. The trick was always to figure it out, or at least give it our best guess. With his sense of humor and his patience talking to a kid with a thousand questions (me), I always enjoyed our visits.

Do you know someone who finds joy in the little things?

He passed away a few years ago now, but I always think of him any time I smell kerosine (he had an old kerosine heater) or I find something unusual on the side of the road. He taught me that with a healthy dose of curiosity, there is joy and wonder all around us if we are just willing to open our eyes and look for it.

What are some of the little things in your life right now that you could be joyful about?

Thank you, Uncle Sam.