It's contagious!

Do you ever find yourself smiling back because someone smiled at you first?

Today, after a busy morning, I stopped at the drive-thru at a local BBQ place. When I gave my order through the speaker, the voice on the other side just sounded so perky.

When I got to the window to pay and pick up my food, I could tell by the voice that this was the person who had taken my order. She was wearing a huge grin and said, "Hey, I love your shirt."

"Why, thank you!" I found myself grinning right back at her. 

Smiles are contagious. (Also, I always love any compliments on my clothes!)

Seriously, it is hard to be a grump when someone is smiling right at you.

In my novel, the mother, Sharon, has spent a lot of time being a grump because she is bitter.

But she had a true friend, Jamie, who was gentle and loving. Morgan, Sharon's daughter, explains for us what would happen when Jamie came over: 

"The bright spot in the week was when mom's friend, Jamie, would come over and play pinochle with mom on Saturday nights. There'd be pizza, Pepsi and laughter going on. I wouldn't understand the jokes, but just to hear laughter made me giggle, too."

"It was a strange experience to see mom change into a smiling laughing human being. If only she'd act that way when it was just the two of us."

See, even a grump melts when there is laughter. It's contagious!

(Don't worry ... Sharon does get her joy back, eventually.)

Who can you encourage today with a smile or some giggles?

~~

This is Day 10 of taking my reader along a journey with me as I birth my book. I hope you consider checking in daily (except on Sundays!) to see my progress.

~~

I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at Let's Have Coffee

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy