Value of a Smile

I went to a funeral today. Someone I barely knew, and who I was trying to get to know better, was crushed in a very freak car accident on Saturday. She was the off and on girlfriend of a VERY good friend of both Brad and me. Her name was Angela.

Today, at the service, I cried. I cried for the person who was. I cried for the people left behind. I cried because a beautiful life was cut short.

What was most often said about her, though, was how FULL of life she had been. She LIVED life instead of letting life live her. She was outgoing, upbeat, spirited, feisty, determined, and stubborn (in a good way). She did what she wanted, in spite of the many problems she encountered along the way. And she smiled. A lot.

She was happy.

I've thought a lot about her smile today. How valuable it was to those who loved her. How strong an impression it left on everyone who knew her. How it defined her.

There is value in smiling. There is value in living a life that makes you smile. There is value in making others smile.

Do what makes you smile. Life is too short and too precious to do otherwise.