SMILE

Do people who smile make you smile back?

I have always been a smiley person! I know that my Mom smiled a lot and so did her Mother. I get it honest!

My parents told me that when I was a baby I would just smile at people when they would take me to the grocery store or to the mall.  Back then, people would give my parents money, usually $1.00, just because I smiled. I guess I made them happy!

When I was in kindergarten, my teacher told my parents that she thought I was always up to something because I was always smiling.

My teacher’s name was Mrs. Stern. Perhaps that had something to do with it!

My Mom and Dad told her I always smiled, even as a baby, that’s just how I was made.

My Children are smilers too. Billy was very smiley…So is Jami and Virginia. They usually smile when they talk. They smile when they take pictures of other people, their smile reaches their eyes and lights up their whole face. Robbie also has a terrific smile, His smile usually reaches his eyes. I just remind him to smile more, just like my Husband Matthew…I love all their smiles.

Logan is a smiley boy too. Of course his smile warms my heart. He has his Daddy’s eyes and when smiles and laughs his face lights up too and I see Billy in his eyes.

Here are some of facts and statistics about smiling!

A study by a University of California San Francisco researcher found that there are 19 different types of smiles. These can be placed into two categories: polite social smiles and sincere felt smiles.

• Smiles can use anywhere from five to 53 muscles in your face.

• Smiling can actually boost your immune system and your physical health as well, allowing you to live up to seven years longer!

• Smiles can be contagious; people actually have trouble frowning when looking at others who are smiling and find themselves subconsciously beginning to smile as well.

• Typically, women smile more than men, although in work environments, they smile about the same amount.

• Babies are capable of smiling mere moments after they’re born.

I am pretty sure I am in the sincere felt smile category. I also know that I am capable of the polite social smile but somehow that never feels right to me and usually people know whether you’re sincere or not. I certainly know when others are sincere.

I believe smiles are gifts from God.

Since I place great value on God’s Word, here are a few things He has to say about smiling!

Proverbs 15:30 “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.”

Proverbs 15:13-15 “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.”

Psalm 31:16 “Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!”

Have you seen the many commercials on Television about getting a better smile? Toothpastes to brighten your teeth, smile builders to fix your smile, and much more. With so much advertising about getting a better smile, you would think that we would all smile a bit more!

I will always be grateful that Billy and I shared many smiles and laughs in his 25 years on this Earth.

One memory that I cherish and have thought of often over the years happened about 11 Summers ago. We were at the pool where I would often take my children when they were younger.

Billy and I were sitting on the edge of the pool with our feet in the water watching Jami and Robbie and Virginia swim.

A kind woman said to us” I can tell that you’re Mother and Son because you have the same smile.”

I know I’ll see Billy’s warm smile again someday. For now, the memory of his smile is sealed in my heart.

Let’s all practice smiling more. Even if we don’t feel like it. It is good for the soul.