JOYFUL scribblings

Smiles are Priceless

by

BlogHer

 


My friend Cathy is someone who makes me smile.  We’ve become fast friends and share a lot of things in common.  She knows no strangers, has a big heart, and kept me smiling with her quick wit at the BlogHer conference this summer.  Even though I’ve only gotten to know Cathy in the last few months people thought we were sisters.  There was even a comment from someone that we reminded her of Kathy Lee and Hoda from the Today Show.  We didn’t even have a wine glass in front of us at the time!

Cathy blogs at Live Happy and she recently shared the story “The $10 Smile.”  It’s a great story about how a little token of appreciation can make someone’s day.  Cathy’s husband (who is as sweet as she is) gives a street musician a $10 bill and the smile on his face is priceless.  You can read the full story here. What we may consider a small gesture of gratitude is often HUGE to someone else.  I believe simple acts of kindness also create a chain reaction in others to pay it forward.  Cathy’s story reminded me of a similar experience of my own.

 

French Quarter

French Quarter

 

My husband and I  were walking down the street in the notorious French Quarter district and came across a man holding a sign that said HUGE ASS BEERS.  I immediately saw a photo opportunity and took a picture of the man.  I can get a little snap happy with my camera on vacations. The man then let us hold the sign so we could get a picture of the two of us.  My husband gave him $10 and you would have thought it was a $100 bill.  From that point on my husband was known as “the man” and we got high fives and hugs.  The small act of generosity was greatly appreciated and unexpected.  In our world filled with expectations and a sense of entitlement these are the kinds of smiles that are priceless.

If you’d like to read more about my adventures in New Orleans click here.

Linking to Ladies Only Blog Share, Friday Flash Blog

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Comments

  1. That made me smile too! Yes sometimes the little things in life really make you smile. Last night I went to the grocery store late and there were only 2 checkouts open. Of course there were a few other people like me in there doing their shopping when no one was around, and I had already started loading my groceries on the belt when a guy came up behind me with a few things in his arms and then seeing my cart, went to the other lane. But he was back quickly as I guess the other lane was even busier. He had such a look of relief on his face when I asked him if he wanted to go ahead of me. It took 5 minutes out of my evening to do something nice.

    • Thanks for sharing Michelle. You don’t have to spend any money to make someone’s day. It’s those little acts of kindness that people appreciate and will remember. I know I do!

    • Thanks for sharing Michelle. You don’t have to spend any money to make someone’s day. It’s those little acts of kindness that people appreciate and will remember. I know I do!

  2. I love this story!!! I love that your husband was known as “The Man!” What a great use of $10 to bring so much happiness. Wouldn’t it be a great link party if you asked a bunch of bloggers to spend $10 in an unexpected way and to write about their experiences and all post on the same day?! You should do it!

    xoxo,
    Stacey

  5. Oh my, dear friend; you brought tears to my eyes with your kind words!! Thank you for your “shout out”, but more importantly, thank you for the gift of your friendship!!! Yes, it’s true that we have only been friends for a short time… but you are definitely a “SOUL SISTER”, which means that we will be friends for all times!! Big hugs to you… xo live happy – cathy

    • Thanks Angela! I’m so picky about pictures. Night pictures never turn out that great. The shine on the sign from the flash bugs me. Oh well, the memory counts more than the picture.

  8. This is awesome! Really? No relation? You two could pass as sisters easily. But thats what a lotta people say about me and my best friend too. Maybe that happens when another person has a great affect on you? She sounds like a great friend Dawn and these are great shots of you two…and a good pic of you and “the man” too…lols

    • Thanks Ulyth! It’s the craziest thing. I met Cathy years ago because I ordered some hand painted glasses from her for a friend’s birthday. I was on her email list and then I started reading her blog. We reconnected through a series I did with other local bloggers and became fast friends. I have only really known her since March. I’m also really lucky to be married to “the man.” Hope you have a great day!

    • It is really funny just how many people said that when we were together. I don’t think that we even thought about it until everyone started mentioning it! And I, Cathy, take that as a compliment cuz my “soul sista”, Dawn is one good lookin chick…;)

      • Thank you for the compliment, back at ya! However, not looking to good in that picture you posted. It’s all about the smoke and mirrors you know.

  12. It is amazing how something like a $10 can mean so much. We tend to forget the power we have to make a big impact with something small. This whole story makes me smile… and the sign is hilarious!

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