So right, so right!  A smile can make a difference.  It is always good to be put in reminder.  We can sometime take our behavior for granted.

I love that, you made her day!!  We had a two year old that sat behind us in a restaurant a week or so ago.  She kept turning around and staring at us and of course I gave her a BIG SMILE.  She was surprised to be "caught" looking at us and then it became a game.  Her family started telling her to leave us alone and my girls told them no, she was so cute and not bothering us, let her play.  We ended up talking to the other family as well as among ourselves and it felt like we had family all over the place.  I loved it.

Awe. I've been spending more time in locations with folks that are older and not well.  I know that someone who treats them as alive and human is a rarity.  You really did make her day.

It takes so little effort to help someone have a better day.  Thanks for doing that for her.

It's good to remember that sometimes the smallest things are all it takes to make either your or someone else's day brighter.

Well I guess you'll never know the answer. Thanks for bring nice.

Lovely story.  It just goes to show - how much effort does it really take to be nice to others.  See a simple smile, but you don't have to just stop there - simple acknowledgements such as 'thank you' go so very far in brightening someone else's day.  But you know what, you may even feel better about yourself.  Sorry, got a big mouth, what can I tell you.

Midori - Just the kind of person I know you to be...kind and considerate. Bringing a smile to someone else is so easy to do and , darn, it makes everyone feel better! Here is smiling at you!

 " a Smile is Priceless"  and you will never know what she was thinking but knowing that you reached out to her and got her to smile back just makes your day.:) Nice Midori.

Hi Midori,

This is a great post.  You just made smile! :-)

Catherine

A smile costs nothing, but rewards much! Thank you for sharing this, and of course, you made ME smile!

That is sooo cool!  Yesterday my hubbie and I went to the mall and in the parking lot an old couple stood to the side. No one would let them cross. My husband stopped and we smiled when they looked up at us in disbelief that we stopped. Oh, goodness, they both smiled, waved and held hands crossing to get to the other side. A smile makes all the difference in the world....I'm smiling while typing Midori....because this is sooo you!

Midori, a very warm post. I am sure you made her day just taking those extra few seconds to notice her and a smile says alot to a person. Thanks for sharing.

Midori, What a beautiful story and incredible experience.

I'm glad that the woman's spirit is still alive and well underneath her sad demeanor and especially glad that you were able to connect with her in the loving way you did.

((-:

Jo 

I ALWAYS get caught staring...hmmm...

nice post...i'll smile at someone today because of it...

Nice post, Midori - What is it they say?  Smile and the whole world smiles with you!  So true.

Small effort, big impact.  What a wonderful reward for you--she may still be thinking of your kind gesture.

That's amazing! You never know what is going on with someone. I bet you made her day. She will remember that for a long time. Good for you!

 Hi Midori... after a very hectic month I'm still trying to catch up on my AR reading. I loved this post, such a big return for such a small, simple gesture.

The smile is ever so powerful...it fuels love and hope and costs so little!

You do have a beautiful smile...an infectious one at that. Keep smiling, Midori!!!

A smile is worth more than a pot of gold.  I wish my mother who has Alzheimer's could still smile at me and know who I was.  It breaks my heart to know that when I see and hug her that I am a stranger to her.  The biggest smile on her face now is when she sees the therapy dog, a ST. Bernard, that comes to visit at her assisted living facility.  At least it is something!

Midori, It's the little things that make a difference! You had to be aware of the people around you to notice...this is where our crazy hectic lifestyles sometimes shortchange us...Many wouldn't have even seen her! You are doing things right! Thanks for making her day and for making mine!

Great posting - I'm sure it got a lot of people smiling today.  Thanks - I was on of them.

Midori - This was a nice post with a terrific message.  Thanks for sharing your experience with us here.  Great job!

It's nice to know in the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives that people still take the time to smile and be nice to one another.  Great story! 

How starnge...I was reading another post and they ask what one thing I did everyday to promote my business and I replied I smile. This was a lovely and thought provoking story!!

Very touching Midori. My father died from Alzheimer's about 4 years ago. The last time I was him it was so sad. I actually went up to Michigan for 3 days to check out the situation because he lived alone but only manged 1 day before I had to leave. I couldn't take it and he didn't know the difference anyway. We were finally able to get him into a nursing home and from there he went down hill very fast. Within 6 months he had died. That was a blessing as he hated the nursing home. He was only 66. Two of his brothers also had Alzheimers in their early 60s. I think about this all the time since I'm now 50. I don't want to go that way. 

When I was a senior in high school I got voted "best smile" and from then on I knew the power of a smile...thank you for sharing this and I'm so glad you smiled at her. People are often afraid to reach out, but a smile is such an easy way to share a little part of yourself.

That was an inspirational post.  It was nice to have a reminder that even little things make big impacts.

I love how observent you were. We get so wrapped up in the events of the day that we often forget the simple things. I will stop look around and smile. Thank you.

That was an inspirational post.  It was nice to have a reminder that even little things make big impacts.

Sorry for the repost I didn't realize I wasn't signed in.

smiling is so important, no matter how hard the day. If I choose to spread some warmth, I always get it back 10 fold!

Midori, I love this post. I love to smile even though I was raised in a family where frowning was more common than smiling.

Midori, Excellent post and so true. The world is changed for the better beginning with one act of random kindness!

Midori what a great story.  I'm so glad you persisted in your look to get her eye.  I'm sure you made her day big time.  i came across a small plague awhile back that I like to liv by and share often with others.  It goes like this " Happy hour is not a time of day, It's a frame of mind".  keep on smiling!  :-)

You know...there are a lot of sad people in this world....we should strive everyday to do what we can to make the world a better place.

Very touching and such a great message. Sometimes we forget how much a simple smile can impact someone's day.

Midori - a smile is such a simple gesture, one that when given away freely can truly make a person's day.  A simple thing to share, and yet so few seem to get shared .....  I'm glad you shared yours and made that lady smile.  She may be looking for you in that diner again the next time she goes.....  smile!

Ann

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Midori - thanks for smiling and sharing your soul. It's important when we smile or say, "Have a nice day" that we actually stop and look into their eyes and really connect. It makes all the difference.

Midori:  You have a beautiful name!  Your story shows that you are a caring person with a gift for connecting with people.  I have noticed at Christmas time, a season that is supposed to be full of joy, many people are walking around with cross looks on their faces.  I will smile at people as they are waiting in line to see if I can get them to smile back.  Hopefully, I am able to make someone's day that way.

Midori, What a heart warming encounter.  Good for you!  Keep the smiles and care going, it will come back to you tenfold.  There really are special moments that offer ways we can reach out to others and bring kindness.  Now that's giving. 

What a nice story. I try to get smiles from everyone I encounter and it usually works. And if you are feeling down, just smiling helps bring you back up. They say that you can't be sad or angry when you are smiling. I don't know that this is proven, but I found it to be true. What you did was a great thing. Keep sharing the love.

Great story Midori, you do have a way with your smile... I wonder tho.. is there more to that wink then meets the eye?

To all that commented Thank You! And Featured.....Thank you.. :) There really isn't that much to add..It's the holiday season...bring cheer but go an extra step and do it year round. 

I try very hard to impact every person's life that I encounter...we all want 1 thing for sure and that is to be happy.  So pay it forward and keep the chain going.

The beautiful woman that walked by and winked was at a very long distance from me by the time this occurred.  I was deeply overwhelmed with joy and emotion.  Just as I tried to make her smile...she did that for me and more. 

It's such a reminder regardless of who we are..... we all have something in common in which we strive for....dreams....happiness and most of all love...  It truly was a heartwarming experience and a humbling one.  One that I caught because I was open to it...because I created it...and I truly live it.  Make a difference in someone's life...a smile, a compliment or just encouragement...That is what community is all about!

Rather than respond to every comment...I am recipricating...thanks again....:)

Hi Midori,

I always attempt to engage people when I'm out in public, with a smile.  I just think it's a way to be nice to everyone because everyone deserves a smile.  It doesn't cost a thing but it can mean alot to a stranger.  Beautiful post!

That poor woman. She obviously knew more than any of her family or whoever they were, gave her credit for. But God used you to touch her heart. Good job. He'll repay you for that one =)

We call all spread more happiness to those around us. I can only imagine the joy you felt seeing her smile.

Hi Midori, what a cute story.  You made my day too.  Keep smiling!

Thanks for sharing, A smile costs nothing, but rewards much! By the way my nick name is smiley!

it is indeed amazing what a smile can do!

Midori - Thank you for the smile and for the reminder of the small niceties we can do that mean so much to others. I way the woman smiled and winked at you it would be fun to find out what her thoughts were when the rest of the party was talking about her as if she weren't there! I'd bet she is smart as a tack!

Words to live by Midori!  And I love the quote at the end.

Thanks for stopping by...you all made me smile...

Hey Midori,

Thanks for sharing that incredible story. I once heard of a story were two guys would meet every morning for a jog and breakfast. During thier jog they would alternate speaking to people they came into contact with trying to make them smile. The first one who didn't get a smile or a response from the person they were speaking too, would have to buy the other breakfast. I thought it was a neat way to be positive in the life of others...Thanks for sharing yours.

Chad

Midori, you got a big lump in my throat with this heartwarming story.  There but for the grace of God go I.  What a special thing to have been a part of.  Congratulations on your gold star!