I was just sitting in McDonald's a few moments ago, reading a book at eating my value meal. I rode my bike 10 miles today, so I figured McDonald's wouldn't be TOO bad, because I would have eaten it anyway, probably, and I think the net calories is in the red.
Anyway, a man who was vaguely familiar to me as someone I used to serve when I worked at McDonald's, years and years ago, was exiting and his final comment to his "dinner" companion was "Don't let that smile get away from you."
This struck me, for some reason. It was something unique, friendly and sentimental to say to someone as you left them. I began thinking about it, and I liked the thought that a smile was something that could run away from you, that it had a mind of it's own. In my own experience, as in many others', I've found myself smiling and I don't know why. It could be a remembered joke or anecdote, and I can't help smiling, no matter where I am or what I'm doing. It's a little embarassing having to explain to someone why you suddenly break into a smile, but I've come to decide that you shouldn't be ashamed to smile.
I also liked the idea that smiles were finite things. It's sort of sad, sort of romantic. It made me think that people are born with only so many smiles in them. Some people are born with plenty enough for them, enough for at least 6 or 7 good ones per day, on average. Some people, those who are naturally glum, got the short end of the smile stick, and have to save them for rare occasions. And then there are those people, we all know at least one, who was born with so many smiles that they have to give some away every day or that joy will just burst out of them, causing God knows what kind of damage.
So, kids, don't let that smile get away from you. You never know when another one will come along.