A few years ago I was walking on the parking lot of X store toward the door and a woman around my age was coming out. As we approached each other I gave her my "always there" smile. She stopped me and said: "Thank you for the smile. My day has been miserable until you gave me your smile." She asked if she could give me a hug, so, of course, I did. She almost cried.
Another time, I was at the grocery store and saw this very pretty itty bitty old lady very well dressed and on a wheel chair. I looked at her and told her how pretty she was. On the next Isle we crossed again. When we were in front of each other she smiled and asked if she could hug me, said I had just made her day brighter with the compliment.
Most people are "buried" in their own silent agony especially this time of year when we would like to be with our loved ones but instead too many of us spend the holidays alone. Everywhere I go, even if I'm feeling like shit I always have a smile on my face. I know I have my problems, and to me, they are huge problems, but really, we don't know what those we see out there on a daily basis are going through, so a smile, a compliment, a kind word, etc. could lessen the weight on their shoulders.
My hugs are always free to any who needs one. Here's to you my Pretties! All My Love
Momma