Sunshine and a Smile

While walking my dog, enjoying the unseasonably warm day and the vibrant colors of Spring bursting forth, I thought about things that make me smile.

Despite the social distancing and shelter at home guidelines during the coronavirus outbreak, people can still go outside. Seize the day!

When I saw our mailman talking to someone, and Stan waved and greeted me from across the street, his few words and smile made me smile.

And I began to hope that the mail he’d slid through the slot at my house contained personal correspondence.

Personal correspondence written and received during stressful times can lift spirits, relieve anxiety and promote feelings of well-being.

Besides thinking about notes to send, lyrics to songs came to mind about smiles. “That’s What Friends are For”; “Smile” (music written by Charlie Chaplin during the Great Depression, used as soundtrack for his movie Modern Times, 1936); “Put on a Happy Face”; from the musical Annie, which was derived from the 1926 comic strip “Little Orphan Annie,” the song “Tomorrow.”

And it surprised me that I knew the lyrics without pulling up a playlist on my phone to see if I had any of these songs, or checking the iTunes app.

Check your favorite music app for versions of these songs noted above.

“Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That’s what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I’ll be on your side forever more
That’s what friends are for . . .”

Burt Bacharach, sung by Dionne Warrick

“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 through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through for you . . .”

Charlie Chaplin, best sung by Nat King Cole

“Gray skies are gonna clear up
Put on a happy face
Brush off the clouds and cheer up
Put on a happy face
Take of the gloomy mask of tragedy
It’s not your style
You’ll look so good that you’ll be glad
You decided to smile
Pick out a pleasant outlook
Stick out that noble chin
Wipe off that full-of-doubt look
Slap on a happy grin
And spread sunshine all over the place
And put on a happy face . . .

from the musical Bye, Bye Birdie, originally sung by Dick Van Dyke; also Tony Bennett

“. . . The sun’ll come out
Tomorrow 
So ya gotta hang on 
‘Til tomorrow 
Come what may 
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya Tomorrow! 
You’re only
A day
A way!”

from the musical Annie

Possibly by including song lyrics in a note to someone, the words can do more than make them smile. When people experience isolation for any reason, they most need to feel they are not alone.

No one brought this on themselves. Keep reminding yourself that we are in this together and that by reaching out to someone you know, your words can be life-giving.

The corners of my mouth turn up just thinking about the power written words have to make someone else smile.

Thank goodness, letter carriers keep delivering mail!

This crisis could mark the beginning of a renewing beautiful friendships through handwritten notes.

Download a song, write someone a note, and keep smiling.