“Smiling is definitely one of the best beauty remedies. If you have a good sense of humor and a good approach to life, that’s beautiful.”– Rashida Jones

“Peace begins with a smile.” — Mother Teresa

“The world always looks brighter from behind a smile.” — Unknown

“If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.” – Dolly Parton

“We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.” – Mother Teresa

“Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh

“Everyone smiles in the same language.” – George Carlin

“A woman is most beautiful when she smiles.” – Beyoncé

“And in her smile I see something more beautiful than the stars.” – Beth Revis

Something I Don’t Usually Share

…how much I miss my dad. His loss is still so tangible to me even though it has been 35 years. I work to keep my memories alive, replaying them like reruns of a favorite show. I can’t hear his voice anymore. I can’t hear his laughter but I remember it vividly, how he would sometimes laugh until he was crying. He loved to laugh. I believe in heaven and hope someday to see & hug my dad again & spend time with him. I know heaven probably isn’t like that at all, but I like to think about it.

Something I Don’t Usually Share

…how nomadic my life was while I was growing up, moving from place to place or between parents, always the new kid in a new school. I lived in 19 different cities in 18 years. I was always trying to fit in, to not be different, to be accepted. While that has made me resilient & adaptive, it has taken me a long time to learn (still) to walk through life boldly and authentically as me.

Something I Don’t Usually Share

…that when I was a teen we moved to a farm & I was introduced to farm fresh eggs & meat and was grossed out by it all. I wanted that USDA sticker on my meat & white eggs. Gardening and growing things was completely foreign to me and woe to the plant that I had to take care of. I wanted nothing to do with the farm & moved to the city with my dad. I wish I’d given the farm a chance. I wish I lived on one now, with fresh eggs & meat & a huge garden. When I think of this I’m reminded of that phrase, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it & that what you actually needed, you maybe ran away from.

Something I Don’t Usually Share

…how much I love slapstick comedy-Abbott and Costello, Lucille Ball, Dick VanDyke, Rowan Atkinson’s Johnny English & Mr. Bean’s Holiday. I thought I would die laughing when Mr. Bean got his head stuck in the turkey. 

Something I Don’t Usually Share

…how much I hate fancy food & restaurants & Michelin stars (though I did love The Hundred-Foot Journey). Maybe I am not sophisticated enough? It seems pretentious. Like a $2,500 margarita. Seriously?! I like rustic tables simple food, & love, laughter & conversation around the table. And a cheap pitcher of limeade margaritas. And hospitality.