Smile

I realized the other day that most of my recent posts were really depressing. Gloom and doom.  Not this one.  I’m changing directions here.  

In the last two weeks, I’ve had a lot to smile about. And let me tell you, smiling is much better for the soul than being sad or depressed. Several things have reminded me how lucky I am and what a good life I’ve had.  

The weekend after Easter, Susan and I were invited by our friends Julie and Susan (yes, they’re a couple and, yes it gets confusing with 2 Susans!) to spend the weekend with them at their condo in Oxford, MS and go to the Double Decker Arts and Music Festival.  Oxford is the home of the University of Mississippi, aka Ole Miss, the hated rivals of my beloved Mississippi State Bulldogs! I vowed 20 years ago to never set foot in Oxford again!  But I kept an open mind and really looked forward to the weekend. And I was not disappointed!  Lots of fun, great food, outstanding music, and good company in one of the most beautiful towns in Mississippi. I smiled all weekend because I was truly relaxed and enjoying myself with people I care deeply for. 

We got home on Sunday and on Tuesday, my granddaughter Tatum’s mother texted me that Tatum’s last softball game of the season was that night and would I like to come and watch her play.  Well, yeah!  I had a ball!  I hadn’t been to a youth baseball or softball game in nearly 30 years when my boys were playing. I forgot how much fun it is to watch the kids playing and learning.  I sat with Lee and Atticus and I enjoyed just spending time with them. I smiled the whole night because, again, I was enjoying myself with people I love. 

Then this past Saturday, I judged a barbecue contest in Greenwood, MS. I really didn’t want to go. I’d had a busy week and I was tired. It’s a 2 hour drive to get there and I almost blew it off. But when I got there, I drove into the parking lot at the same time as my friends James and John. Seeing them brought a smile to my face. They’re a couple of judges about my age and we’ve been judging about the same length of time. Over the years we’ve become good friends. We had time before judging started to visit and catch up. Even though I was full to the brim with pulled pork and ribs, I smiled all the way home after spending time with good friends. 

I hope you see the common thread here. It’s people who make us smile. It’s the love and friendship you share that brings the biggest smiles and the greatest joy. Treasure your family and friends.  They are the greatest blessing of all.  

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