The loving look of a smile
With a still moment of pause
To show the passerby
They’re important to your cause.

Whether they are young or old,
Or diff in income or gender
Doesn’t matter their race or religion
Whether they are stocky or slender

Just take but a moment
With all the muscles in your face
And let that person know
You’re glad to see them in this place.

There are no coincidences
Only the illusion of chance
And the loving look of a true smile
Will make even the coldest heart dance.

So if it’s in the store or in a cafe
Walking by or driving alongside of
Take a second and smile a real smile
Kindly, with good love from above.

Maybe you’ve seen a game of tag among the neighborhood squirrels. I think it’s a game they play. Sometimes, there is much noise and it seems at times some tempers flare when things get a little rough. When the birds join in, it can get kind of ugly.

As I was driving home recently, I saw one of our furry friends in the road, run over. I paused on the quiet road. I watched as other squirrels came over to the one that passed. Birds landed and watched from the sidewalk as other squirrels gathered on the street.

It was like a service for the one that passed. Those that played and fought stopped for a moment. Something to behold. A funeral for a friendly neighbor. It’s as if the birds supported the squirrels with Rom 12:15 in heart.

I looked up from my teary eyes and saw a lady standing still along the sidewalk, her dog sitting at her side.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

If the animal kingdom can do this (squirrels and birds and dogs together), can’t we too, we people?

Maybe it was because of recent graduations. Perhaps it was remembering my Mom’s upcoming birthday (Arrivederci, Mama). It was probably a home video of my childhood, sent by my younger brother.

The video includes many scenes from my early childhood, back when we kept waving because there was no sound and we were taking moving pictures. Included were a few birthday shots with cake and cousins. And my Mom.

From the video, I captured a still of me and my cousin, Al, posting it on Facebook. That’s probably how the rapid flood of memories began. A few friends from decades ago caught a glimpse and liked the picture. The reconnecting began.

I remembered a certain girl from early childhood. I didn’t know what a crush was back then, but my Mom told me I had one.  I connected with my first “crush” on Facebook. There is gladness in my heart for this memory. She is still a beautiful girl. She is also part of a Facebook group from our graduating High School Class. I joined in (with permission).

My face was painted with smiles, then tears. Sorrows, followed by laughter as I went through the posts. Remembering places and faces.

I’ve never been too nostalgic, until this past weekend. I no longer have possession of any of the photos or documents from my past. I have the memories.  While hesitant to re-connect with some classmates who hurt me – or with those whom I had hurt – I began to realize how important each and every one of these people and memories are in my life.

I’m glad the reconnecting has begun. I’m glad to look back on these school day memories as valuable. I’m glad for these people and how they’ve grown.

Facebook, to me, is as much a prayer list as anything else. As I scroll through updates, I find myself praying for the person rather than reading their update. I’m grateful my prayer list just got bigger.

Special people, those I grew up with. And my Mom.