The Power of the Smile

As mask mandates wane, after two difficult pandemic-defined years, we are rediscovering the return of the smile. From the sweet to the profound, smiles given and ricocheted in return speak volumes about the vast continuum of our common humanity. The resurgence of the ability to share smiles can’t be understated.

Take, for example, the millions of students who can now walk their school halls and run playgrounds mask-free. My daughter sent me a recent photo of her two young daughters entering school fully dressed with their smiles. Standing outside the entrance of their school, their smiles were in full and visible bloom. For my granddaughters, this day would be the first day in their young tenure as students when they could see their teacher’s faces. I think about that morning when these little ones chatted with one another, giggled while hanging their coats and retrieving their pencils. I imagine the school librarian reading a book with full facial expressions, bringing the story even more alive not only with her voice, but with her whole look.

I’m so excited to attend my nephew’s wedding. Twice rescheduled, my family is so grateful to be able to be present to see and respond to their joy. I don’t take for granted that my ability to participate in his special day won’t be limited to FaceTime or live stream on my computer. I think there will be many of us whose cheek muscles will get a work out as we watch my nephew dance with his new bride.

And then there are spaces of life, so ridden with pain, where talk of smiles seems insensitive or callous. Yet here, I would argue, is where the power of the smile is most profound. The devastation and war in Ukraine is almost too much to bear. Yet, I imagine, even in the midst of desolation and fragility, the power of a smile can help to provide the will to take another step. The capacity to smile, especially when it seems there is nothing to smile about can reach a broken heart with such tenderness and care. At least this is my hope. 

We’ve all become pretty adept at interpreting sentiments articulated with eyes, hand gestures expressing gratitude, and being unapologetic in saying, “I’m sorry, can you say that again?” because of mask muffled words. We’ve all compensated pretty well over the past couple of years in the world of COVID restrictions, and now that a new Spring of openness is upon us, I realize the return of the smile is simply delightful. 

I suggest over these next few weeks while we continue to “open up,” we bring our smiles with us wherever we go. I am certain my granddaughters are still smiling with their teachers, and the photos captured at my nephew’s wedding will chronical apparent joy in their photo album for all time. And for those who are struggling or navigating unimaginable heartache, my wish is that somehow, somewhere, a smile finds you.