To Be Happy

“What do you need to be happy?” I asked her.
“Just you,” she replied.
So we got married and we were happy.
But I knew she could be still happier.

“What do you need to be happy?” I asked again.
“Still you,” she answered.
“But a house of our own would be nice, too.
“With a fenced yard and a big, fluffy cat.”

“What do you need to be happy?” I repeated
As the cat walked through the gate, and into our home.
“Something to show we were here,” she replied.
So we brightened the world with two gorgeous children, who laugh.

“What do you need to be happy?” I wondered out loud.
“You beside me always,” she replied.
“And a soft little puppy to sleep with us, too.”
The spaniel grew, chased tennis balls, and chomped on ice cubes.

“What do you need to be happy?” I continued.
“You,” she cried softly, “and another dog to fill the hole in my heart.”
(The spaniel was taken from us far too soon)
So we got a red Cocker, that we used to think was huge.

“What do you need to be happy?” I wanted to know.
“I still need you,” she replied.
“And one more dog. Fill my life with puppy smells and wet noses.”
So we brought home a huge grin with big feet, all wrapped in soft gray fur.

“What do you need to be happy?” I asked again.
“Still you,” she replied, “and a couple other small things.”
“Books, and a place to read them.
“Quiet time, a computer, and a supply of Diet Coke.”

“What do you need to be happy?” I asked one more time.
“Some day this will all be gone,” she said.
“Whatever we had, have, or don’t have – I’ll still need you.”
“And what about you?” she asked. “What do you need to be happy?”“I’m always happy,” I answered, “whenever I’m with you.”