Last night's announcement got me to thinking about smiles, and what they convey. Rather than tell her Dad she was pregnant, SD (step-daughter) chose to write it out on a cute little Winnie the Pooh card and hand it to her Dad. She had one of those anticipatory "I know something you don't know" smiles. You could tell something was going on. It's possible that we didn't make a big enough fuss. We've expected news like this for the last couple of months. I hope we didn't dampen her joy at sharing the news because we didn't shout and cry. There were plenty of broad smiles and hugs.
How many times have you seen the "Mona Lisa" smile on friends or family? It's that little wisp of a smile that hints at secrets. You wonder if you've been measured and found wanting, or perhaps the person is savoring the moment before they share something important with you. If it has a little wistful tinge to it, maybe they were regretting not being able to share their thought.
And there's the smile you see as we watch our children grow up. It comes with tear sheened eyes and makes you think the moment is being mentally photographed to be treasured again and again.
It's interesting to watch how a teenager's smiles change when they find someone they want to date. They go from impersonal, to a little warmer, to high voltage once they know they won't be rebuffed.
There are SO many smiles. We range from the politically correct social smile we use with people we don't really care for, to the genuine, warm, "Gosh, I'm glad to see you!" smile we'd all like to experience more often. One of my favorite smiles is the megawat smile a tot gives as they stagger their first steps toward you and giggle in terror and pleasure at the new sense of freedom.
One of my younger nephews loves to come and play my step-son's Nintendo racing car games. You can hear the belly laugh boom over the loft wall when he purposely crashes the car, and I can imagine the grin of delight that goes with it.
If you go to Pob's blog, there are four pictures at the top, and I love the engaging smile. I never know what entertaining thing he'll write next, and I frequently feel like I'm being invited to share the eccentricities of his life.
Billy has an adorable grin that's infectious. He looks like he's ready to have a GREAT time, and you NEED to join him! Go to his September archives and scroll down to September 17, and see for yourself!
No matter what kind of smile I see, the only smiles worth having are those that light up the eyes. I want that window on your emotions. It completes your message and determines how I'll respond.
Send your smiles my way. I love them!
Comments (2)
http://billyworld.typepad.com/i_could_have_been_a_conte/2003/09/its_going_to.html
...but how can you tell?...I'm wearing a mask :^)...
Posted by billy | September 27, 2003 1:19 PM
Posted on September 27, 2003 13:19
I'm sure she understood - and would prefer your loving support during her preganancy and the early weeks of the new birth than lots of shouts and no support when she needs it.
Adele
Posted by Adele | September 29, 2003 11:22 AM
Posted on September 29, 2003 11:22