Smiles

The other night at a revival I noticed a small baby girl smiling up at the loving face above her. It reminded me of a time several months ago when I was waiting not so patiently for a smile from Avery. She was so selfish with those at the time. She certainly was a good bit older than this sweet baby before blessing us with the light of her smile. I remember being anxious about the fact that it was taking so long. I have been anxious at times with the simplest things with her even though I tried not to be. I remember tying to do whatever it took to see that smile from Avery Grace. But of all the crazy things I would do to evoke it, she would just study me, looking so seriously and steady at my face. I also remember when I could finally do something completely silly that would bring about that smile. Believe me I did it over and over again. The first time I received the blessing of that smile I felt overwhelmed by it. Each time after the first was so wonderful! I love the smiles. It is funny how something as simple as a smile can bring anxiety (from the lack of it) then relief and such joy (at it's presence). Do you know that they say smiling releases endorphins each time you do it. It's like natural pain killers and serotonin. It's physically good for you. I even read that smiling can lower your blood pressure! :) You're suppose to be able to take your pressure, then smile for one full minute, then take your pressure again while smiling. It's suppose to be lower. I am going to try it! I was going to try it before I did this post but I forgot about it. What a wonderful thing a smile is. Now go around smiling today. If you need something to smile about well just look at this. There you go.