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Abstract

ion. But it has been different for me since our move. Here are the reasons why.I retired early from my traditional profession in 2017 and continue to enjoy the stress-free outcome of a lifetime of hard work. All the work that I currently engage in related to serving as a family engagement influencer and writer is done at my unscheduled pace at home or wherever I may be.However, being consumed with parental responsibilities fills most of my time. Because my teenage daughter does not have her driver’s license yet, I am her only source of transportation. Aside from that, I continue to do all things related to remodeling and maintaining our new home. Simply stated, I am very busy in a parental sort of way.<h2 id="0272">What’s Missing</h2><figure id="b7dc"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*8yPhs2FTLEXdoREH"><figcaption>Photo by Jackson Simmer on Unsplash</figcaption></figure>As I rebuild my life in my new small city with a rural feel, a missing link exists that has caused a void in my existence.My life is not the same as it once was when I lived in a huge metropolitan region where I was born and grew up. The deep human connections that were familiar to me and thrived in my hometown do not exist here. Strong social connections similar to my past life have yet to be made.I miss work-related collegial relationships and I miss interactions associated with all the church, extended family, and civic activities I actively participated in. Among the uncomplicated contacts that I miss because they are gone are the wave of friendly neighbors within my former community that I had in the past. I also miss the familiarity of recognizable faces that used to be encountered while simply being out and about. Everywhere I used to go I either knew or recognized someone. And I was known by so many, too.However, there has been something that has quenched my thirst for meaningful personal human interaction as a result of my relocation.<h2 id="cf35">A Smile</h2><figure id="8d7d"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*y5lV7JHdFMZu5nkN"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash

Options

.com/@freddy_mishiki?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Freddy Mishiki</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure>I have grown to be reminded of and embrace the power of a smile as I continue to transition socially.My eagerness to connect with others covers me like a warm and comfortable blanket while adjusting to the cold. I anticipate sharing a smile with people young and old that I encounter as I live my life each day to feel the closeness of human contact. And I will especially continue to enjoy the beautiful and pure smiles of infants and young children who easily share theirs with me.The most beautiful thing always happens when I share a smile. Others reciprocate by sharing one with me. And when I receive a smile, it affirms my humanity. Residing in a place that is new to me, I no longer feel invisible when I am the recipient of one.So, as I grow friendships in this new region, I will simply smile more.<h2 id="2ae7">My Final Thoughts</h2><figure id="1d9e"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*IJyqQl6dv7Db0pMV"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@senjuti?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Senjuti Kundu</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure>Smiling releases joy. It unleashes happiness, too.I wish you much joy as you smile more.There is a song that I enjoy listening to called<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LFpy9tRTw8"> “I’ve Got Joy” by CeCe Winans</a>. I invite you will use the link to enjoy it.Thank you for connecting with me by reading this short story.Here is my golden ticket that helps me accomplish my mission. I am a retired Teacher and School Administrator. Here is <a href="http://www.drdeborahmvereen.com/">my website</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS1DPhBeA29UlybU9jzDkdQ">YouTube channel</a> to connect with me.Copyright © 2024 Dr. Deborah M. Vereen. All rights reserved.</article></body>

Joy and Life Lessons

A Smile Matters

It pays to do it often

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Introduction

I became inspired to pen this short story after a brief encounter with a stranger while entering the Starbucks drive-thru line earlier this morning.

A car quickly passed me in the opposite direction despite having my turn signal on as I tried to enter the property of the restaurant. I was frustrated by the inconsiderate driver. Then another driver also turning to enter the drive-thru line paused to allow me to enter ahead of them. Touched by that very simple act of kindness, I smiled at the driver and gave them a hearty wave to express my gratitude for extending the right of way to me. The driver’s reaction to me was the same. She also waved back heartily and smiled as she followed directly behind me to the drive-thru lane.

Those small and reciprocated gestures of that unknown person behind the wheel of the other car warmed my spirit. Especially because I had no idea the other driver saw the broad smile on my face. I paid her kindness forward by treating her to her morning beverage before driving off to my destination.

There Is A Backstory

Relocating to another part of the United States with my daughter without knowing anyone where we moved to has been challenging for me. My daughter is happily finding her way with her peers socially and continues to adjust to living in a new region. But it has been different for me since our move. Here are the reasons why.

I retired early from my traditional profession in 2017 and continue to enjoy the stress-free outcome of a lifetime of hard work. All the work that I currently engage in related to serving as a family engagement influencer and writer is done at my unscheduled pace at home or wherever I may be.

However, being consumed with parental responsibilities fills most of my time. Because my teenage daughter does not have her driver’s license yet, I am her only source of transportation. Aside from that, I continue to do all things related to remodeling and maintaining our new home. Simply stated, I am very busy in a parental sort of way.

What’s Missing

As I rebuild my life in my new small city with a rural feel, a missing link exists that has caused a void in my existence.

My life is not the same as it once was when I lived in a huge metropolitan region where I was born and grew up. The deep human connections that were familiar to me and thrived in my hometown do not exist here. Strong social connections similar to my past life have yet to be made.

I miss work-related collegial relationships and I miss interactions associated with all the church, extended family, and civic activities I actively participated in. Among the uncomplicated contacts that I miss because they are gone are the wave of friendly neighbors within my former community that I had in the past. I also miss the familiarity of recognizable faces that used to be encountered while simply being out and about. Everywhere I used to go I either knew or recognized someone. And I was known by so many, too.

However, there has been something that has quenched my thirst for meaningful personal human interaction as a result of my relocation.

A Smile

I have grown to be reminded of and embrace the power of a smile as I continue to transition socially.

My eagerness to connect with others covers me like a warm and comfortable blanket while adjusting to the cold. I anticipate sharing a smile with people young and old that I encounter as I live my life each day to feel the closeness of human contact. And I will especially continue to enjoy the beautiful and pure smiles of infants and young children who easily share theirs with me.

The most beautiful thing always happens when I share a smile. Others reciprocate by sharing one with me. And when I receive a smile, it affirms my humanity. Residing in a place that is new to me, I no longer feel invisible when I am the recipient of one.

So, as I grow friendships in this new region, I will simply smile more.

My Final Thoughts

Smiling releases joy. It unleashes happiness, too.

I wish you much joy as you smile more.

There is a song that I enjoy listening to called “I’ve Got Joy” by CeCe Winans. I invite you will use the link to enjoy it.

Thank you for connecting with me by reading this short story.

Here is my golden ticket that helps me accomplish my mission. I am a retired Teacher and School Administrator. Here is my website and YouTube channel to connect with me.