Blake:  Mummy, why did you smile at that lady?  Did you know her?
Me:  No.  She just looked like she needed a smile.
Blake:  How did you know?
Me:  I didn’t.  But I smiled anyway.

Every so often, I’m asked about my tendency to smile at anyone and everyone I meet.  (Now that I think about it, perhaps what they really are asking is if it’s genuine or if I’m just a grinning idiot.  My answer is yes.)  “Heather, are you always this happy?”  Um, no.  “Heather, you must always be in a good mood.”  Ahem, wrong again.  Just ask my husband and son.  Or my secretary at work.  Or my siblings.  Or the guy at the auto repair place who assumes I’m a stupid girl and tries to screw me over.  Wait, where was I…  The reason I do it is really not complicated and there are no ulterior motives.  I simply believe that God has given us each a gift we can use to be someone else’s angel.  My entire life, I’ve naturally gravitated toward those who were either alone or appeared lonely.  Someone new in school.  Someone being picked on on the bus.  Someone who didn’t have many friends.  Someone who seemed to feel unnoticed or alone.  I really didn’t care what their station was in life or what “group” they identified with.  For some, a warm and genuine smile can send the message that they are not invisible.  So, personally, I believe I’ve been blessed with the ability to put people at ease by making them feel heard and understood and that I have a responsibility to share that.

“But, Heather, if you’re in a bad mood and still smile at people, aren’t you just being fake?”  Nope.  I just don’t think that my own bad day or bad mood should be taken out on everyone else, especially strangers.  Period.  

Besides, is it REALLY that hard to smile at someone?  No.  It doesn’t take much effort.  Word on the street is that it only takes 17 muscles to smile versus 43 to frown.  (I wonder how many muscles it takes to have bitchy resting face???  LOL  I’ve always wondered that.  Alas, once again I digress.  But it is an interesting question, no?  Perhaps not to the person who has said BRF… *sigh*)  

And, yes folks, Blake has been blessed with the gift of an infectious smile and amazing giggle… though it is currently both a blessing and a curse as he seems to be utilizing his gift more as a manipulation tool to get what he wants.  And it works.  Even on me.  And I KNOW what his motives are.  Still, it both amazes me and fills me with such pride that he is able to melt even the most hardened of hearts and already recognizes that “everybody is different, and that’s ok”.  As he grows and matures, I hope his gift does too.

God has given you a gift, too.  Aren’t sure what it is?  Just ask Him.  He will show you.