The Power of a Smile
"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. " ~Mother Teresa
I was at a sporting event this weekend, fulfilling my "things I have to do in my life with my kids" list, when a stranger reminded me of something incredibly important. I had settled my family into the perfect spot to watch the pre race concert and enjoy the festivities and had run back to grab some food and much needed drinks. As I walked through the crowd a perfect stranger hit me in the arm. Surprised by this I looked up at the offender only to see a kind man smiling at me. "Smile!" he demanded. I had so much on my mind that I had completely forgotten to slow down, take in the experience and enjoy my life.
Yesterday I was in the waiting room of the hospital, waiting for my mom to complete the registration process for surgery. I sat in a very busy area where people were bustling past me. With nothing to do but wait, I watched them. One lady passed and looked at me, she was obviously smuggling in fast food for a patient. I smiled at her. She stopped and said "You will never know how wonderful your smile is to me this morning."
Later, in my mom's hospital room after surgery, a respiratory therapist came in who had been with us at her previous surgery. His smile, his attitude and his entire personality lit up the room. She remembered him immediately from before. He needed her to do some breathing exercises that would be painful following the surgery she just had and I braced for her reaction. Reluctantly she took up the breathing apparatus and looked up at him as he directed her on what to do. His smile cheered her on as she completed her exercises. When she thanked him for his smile he told us that he teaches first year medical students. The most important thing he teaches them is that the day they cannot come into a hospital room with a smile is the day they need to find a new job.
A smile is an easy gesture to forget in the midst of a busy or stressful day but it may be the most important thing we do. From the gentleman at the race, to the woman in the waiting room to the therapist by my mom's bedside, each smile was a gift, given when needed most.
I was at a sporting event this weekend, fulfilling my "things I have to do in my life with my kids" list, when a stranger reminded me of something incredibly important. I had settled my family into the perfect spot to watch the pre race concert and enjoy the festivities and had run back to grab some food and much needed drinks. As I walked through the crowd a perfect stranger hit me in the arm. Surprised by this I looked up at the offender only to see a kind man smiling at me. "Smile!" he demanded. I had so much on my mind that I had completely forgotten to slow down, take in the experience and enjoy my life.
Yesterday I was in the waiting room of the hospital, waiting for my mom to complete the registration process for surgery. I sat in a very busy area where people were bustling past me. With nothing to do but wait, I watched them. One lady passed and looked at me, she was obviously smuggling in fast food for a patient. I smiled at her. She stopped and said "You will never know how wonderful your smile is to me this morning."
Later, in my mom's hospital room after surgery, a respiratory therapist came in who had been with us at her previous surgery. His smile, his attitude and his entire personality lit up the room. She remembered him immediately from before. He needed her to do some breathing exercises that would be painful following the surgery she just had and I braced for her reaction. Reluctantly she took up the breathing apparatus and looked up at him as he directed her on what to do. His smile cheered her on as she completed her exercises. When she thanked him for his smile he told us that he teaches first year medical students. The most important thing he teaches them is that the day they cannot come into a hospital room with a smile is the day they need to find a new job.
A smile is an easy gesture to forget in the midst of a busy or stressful day but it may be the most important thing we do. From the gentleman at the race, to the woman in the waiting room to the therapist by my mom's bedside, each smile was a gift, given when needed most.
YOUR infectious smile has always been one of the things that makes you so beautiful. If has touch many and will continue to touch others that come into your life. Your smile is a beautiful gift from GOD.
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Thanks Scotty, for being in our lives. We love you and Dawn tremendously! ~ Pam
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