A smile can brighten a day. The simplest thing can bring a smile to my face. From seeing my husband first thing in the morning, receiving a call from a friend, hearing the birds sing on a sunny day…they all bring a smile to my face.
Saturday we had a freak snow storm with our town getting over 8 inches of snow. Some towns received over 20 inches. During winter that would not be unusual but it broke a 185 year old record for snowfall in October. The storm caused major power outages because most of the trees still had their leaves. The heavy wet snow brought down tree limbs that in turn brought down power and cable lines everywhere. We had a lot of damage to our apple trees as well.
Today our electrical power came back on as well as our internet service. If I see one of the repair crews still out working, I will definitely give them a big smile and “thank you” for giving us two items that we sometimes take for granted. Those repair crews were working in the snow, the cold and the dark of night to make hundreds of thousands of people’s lives a little more comfortable and convenient.
I thought I would share this little note that was waiting for us in our room at the Hotel Gardena in Ortisei, Italy.
A smile costs nothing, but gives much.
It enriches those who receive,
without making poorer those who give.
It takes but a moment,
but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.
None is so rich to get along without it.
It’s a sign of friendship.
A smile brightens the day
and brings cheer to the discouraged.
And if you ever meet someone
who doesn’t give you a smile you deserve,
be generous, and give them one of yours,
because no one needs a smile so much
as someone who has no more to give!
When I started my blog, I wrote a post about simple things that make you smile. Today I am smiling because I have electricity and internet service. You don’t realize how much you depend on something until you don’t have it.
The computer is up and running, and I can catch up with everyone’s comments and new posts. I would love to hear what brings a smile to your face.
Back Road Journal 
🙂 I’m smiling because you’re back up and running. So glad you and yours are okay. I wondered how you were doing and was certain you took some of the brunt of the storm. Happy Halloween, Karen!
Hi Bits, Thank you for your lovely comment and thoughts.
What a super post.. i heard you guys were having a hard time with the weather, and lovely that you are back online again!! c
Hi C, Thank you for your nice compliment and your thoughts. Happy to be back online.
Very much enjoyed the words you found in the hotel room in Italy. One day no doubt I will use them on my Blog. It sometimes is more serious, sometimes just pictures, but it fits my thinking. Thanks for the message. Jack
Hi Jack, Thank you for stopping by to visit my blog and your nice comment. I thought the words were lovely and I am glad you enjoyed them as well.
So glad your power has been restored and things are returning to normal. I like to think that I’m pretty independent, even self-sufficient. Let me lose power, however, for even a few hours, and I quickly learn how delusional — and foolish — these thoughts are. There will be more snowstorms in our future, Winter hasn’t even started. Here’s hoping their impact isn’t nearly as severe.
Hi John, Thank for your comment. Yes, it is nice to be returning to normal. Now if all that snow will melt so I can start mulching all the leaves that are on the ground. The problem with this snow storm was that most of the trees still had their leaves and it was heavy wet snow. We have had a lot of damage to the apple trees…some totally down, others broken in half. Being without power certainly can be eyeopening to say the least.
Good to hear you’re back up and running! Hope the damage isn’t too bad…
It is really nice to have all of the conveniences that we are used to restored. A lot of damage to the apple trees but other than that we are fine. Thank you for your thoughts.
I remember not having electricity for an hour and didnt realized how life sucked without internet. NIce post.
http://kalafels.wordpress.com/
Hi Kalafels, Thank you for stopping by my blog for a visit and your nice comment. Yes, life is very different without the internet. No news updates, no communication with others, totally left in the dark…so to speak.
Holy cow – 8 inches? I knew it was a lot, but I had no idea it was *that* much… that’s insane for October – what the heck? Glad you’re back online again!
I sometimes think I don’t smile enough… my favourite emotion is laughter – gut-wrenching laughter where you just can’t contain it and it bursts out and renders you unable to control yourself. It’s a wonderful feeling and I often think I focus on too many little negativities in life instead of smiling at the little things. The other day I was driving home and stopped to let a woman cross the road. She was pushing a chair with a cute kid sitting inside. As she crossed she glanced briefly at us and smiled an acknowledgement – she must have seen my wife and I grinning ear to ear at her (her kid was pretty darn cute :D) and she looked right back and gave us such a wonderful, genuine smile. I love moments like that. Moments shared with complete strangers – makes me feel that there’s some really great people in the world!
Hi Charles, Thank you for your comment and welcome back to the Internet. If I had to describe you to friends, I would say that you make me laugh so much of the time with your comments. Your favorite emotion comes through loud and clear with me. Thank you for sharing your smile experience with me. I agree about the lovely connection total strangers have through something as simple as a smile.
You’re so upbeat. I would not be smiling if we got that much snow. But we don’t have too many plows down here!
Hi Greg, You have to stay upbeat in life and roll with the punches. Sometimes Mother Nature plays a little dirty. Yes, I know about the south not having too many snow plows. Two years ago, we had to drive from south to north after storms and I95 was a disaster. Six inches of ice because of not enough snow plows.
Holy cow! And I thought we had it bad when we lived in Minnesota. That is a lot of snow for this early in the year. I’m so happy that your power is back up and running. That’s definitely something worth smiling about. The poem you shared is just beautiful. It was just what I needed to read this evening. As for what makes me smile…easily my little ones. 🙂
Hi Kristy, I’m happy that you enjoyed the poem. I thought it was lovely. Yes…little ones always make us smile.
I agree…it’s amazing how much a smile changes things. My mother always said that good manners are free and you’re meant to give them away! (she felt the same about a smile!)
Hi Ann, Thank you for sharing your mother’s thoughts about good manners and smiles. I love the idea that your meant to give them away.
we heard about the snow storms here, so it’s good to know you are safe and sound and tucked up. welcome back online 🙂
Hi Claire, Thank you for your well wishes and the welcome…it is nice to be back online.
I am so glad you are safe! I was amazed at how much snow there was *big smiles* Tandy
Hi Tandy, Thank you for your kind thoughts. We certainly did get a lot of snow for this time for the year.
I love your attitude. And that’s what makes me smile—–the MANY blogs I read and look forward to reading with my VERY early morning coffee….people with a positive outlook on life……… that enjoy life to the fullest.
Have a great week, Karen!
Hi Sue, Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts. Photos of your beautiful garden have made me smile many a day. I do think a positive attitude and a smile helps get you through each day.
I think we should all learn to smile over the little things more! Yay for getting your internet and electricity back!
Hi Joanne, Thank you for your comment. A smile can brighten anyone’s day. Yay is right!
It is amazing how quiet the house is and how you wonder what to do with yourself when you have no electricity and therefore no devices and entertainment going.
In the smile category….I make a point of looking people in the eye and smiling whenever I can while walking down the Boston sidewalks – so many folks just look at the ground and avoid eye contact, but as soon as you present a friendly face they return it!
Hi Carol, Yes the house was so quiet. So much of what entertains us is connected to electricity and now the Internet. So many people don’t look at each other. A smile makes everyone a little less self defensive.
While your computer was down, did you settle by the fire in your kitchen and read a book by candlelight? Funny how dependent we become on things we take for granted.
I’m smiling thinking about the frothy coffee I’m about to have. That gets my day off to a good start.
Hi Lulu, No fire in the kitchen fireplace yet. We have to get it inspected…which is usually done this month. The first cup of coffee or tea can definitely put a smile on your face first thing in the morning.
Karen, This is so true! I work in a healthcare setting and when I walk through the halls and smile at patients, I can tell it immediately brings a smile to their face and a feeling that someone cares. We’ve had alot of rain lately. I love to sit back and enjoy the sound of the rain hitting my patio roof; it’s better than flipping on the tv!!
Hi Linda, A smile does everyone so much good, especially for a patient. Florida really has had so much rain recently. I too like the sound of the rain…that and a good book.
Karen,
Sorry to hear about your apple tree damage. Wet snow on trees with leaves is devastating. Love the poem and the idea that unsmiling people need your smiles the most. Your blog often makes me smile – reading it this morning and seeing that you have your power and Internet back brought a smile to my face, thinking of you smiling and thanking the guys working tirelessly to restore services to everyone. I posted a link to your blog on my FB page and shared the poem. It’s too easy for people to get wrapped up in the negative and forget to appreciate and SHARE the positive. Thanks for sharing and being a positive force in the universe.
Hi Valerie, Thank you for your kind words and thoughts. They are very much appreciated. I’m happy that you enjoyed the poem. Thank you for the link.
Welcome back from your travels….welcome back to the first snow of the year in your neighborhood…which always come with the bad and the good. It is still in the 70’s during the day here in Nashville…but looking out my window gazing on all the red, orange & yellow Maple trees surrounding my house I smile and am thankful. Great post Karen.
Hi Teresa, Thank you for the welcome home. I know that the color on your trees in Tennessee should be beautiful this time of the year. It is so funny looking out at our trees with orange leaves surrounded by snow.
I worried that you may be one of the many who lost power! But am very glad it is now restored! I love to smile – it makes me feel good – and hopefully makes others feel good, too! I like to give everyone a smile – some people can look so grouchy or grumpy, but when you smile at them they return the smile and their entire face takes on an entirely different look! It’s so nice to see the change!
Hi Phyllis, I love to smile at someone with a grumpy face and see how long it takes them to smile back. They can never resist and their whole demeanor seems to change.
I’m smiling just reading this. Enjoy the snow. Nice post.
Hi Lea Ann, Thank you for your nice comment. I’m happy that I made you smile.
Beautiful. I agree with you all about these smiling points… You are a positive one, as me. Some people wait for rising sun, but some people carry the sun with themselves… You are one of them. Thank you dear Karen, especially the notes in the hotel, wonderful. I hope and wish the snow not to be problem in there again… But seems that the winter would be hard again… With my love, nia
Hi Nia, Thank you so much for your lovely thoughts. I so enjoyed your sentiment about carry the sun with you. I am so happy that you enjoyed the note…I thought it was wonderful.
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You’ll get by
If you smile…
Have smiley day 🙂
Hi Jellybeans, Thank you…a very appropriate song.
It is about the little things usually that I can smile about. But today my smiles will be all about LEAVING the Dominican Republic and going HOME. I miss my little home and my dog like crazy. Being here has made me appreciate more that I shouldn’t take ANYTHING for granted….ever. xxBliss
Hi Bliss, Thank you for your comment. The comforts of home and all you have there can definitely put a smile on your face. Welcome home.
Oh, I’m loving the glorious autumn leaves, pumpkins, pilgrims, and yummy smells inside and outside of my home. This time of year puts a huge smile on my face and no matter how hard I try I can’t suppress it….OK…all my grands too!!! It’s my first time here and I love it ;D
Hi Renee, Thank you so much for stopping by and your nice comment. I think this time of the year is everyone’s favorite season and definitely will put a smile on your face. That and your grandchildren…children always put a smile on my face.
Yes, it is the little things in life that make a difference. Smiles, please, thank you……are just a few! The snowstorm was freak and there are people around me still without power. Have a great weekend.
It was a freak storm and I feel so sorry for those still without power. Little things do make a difference.
What a great poem. You’re right – a smile makes such a difference – both to the giver and the recipient.
Hi Lady Fi, I really liked the poem. I’m glad you enjoyed it as well.
Thank you for the poem and the smile Karen
I sn’t it amasing how attached we are to electricity, internet and technology..just a few hours away from them and you feel so much is missing
Hi Sawsan, Thank you for your comment. I’m happy that you enjoyed the poem as much as I did. You are right, so much of our lives revolve around technology that is in our lives today. And without electricity so much of it isn’t available.