Sonrisa

When I was preparing to move I cried often.

Not because I was dreading where I was going,

but because it was a big transition and there was a lot to leave.

I once made the comment to my parents,

after saying goodbye to a friend,

"It went well, I only cried twice."

My dad would not have it.

"Morgan!  If you are going to count the number

of times you cry,

than you need to count the number of times you smile."

Thanks dad.  

It was true.  

Why do the times that I cry stand out so much more than the times I smile?

It's silly.  

So hear I am, 

calling out those smiles.  

I find myself smiling at the cute toys my kiddos 

bring to school.

[note the rule: you cannot bring toys to school]

I smile during late night baking sessions,

and when I see grandma's old apron hanging on our kitchen wall.

I have been smiling at the mountains as I walk 

down the hill to Cofre 

to buy more avocados and shelf stable milk.  

I've smiled when students end up in my apartment 

and think it's amazing that I have...

a] books for them to read

b] a cinderella barbie in my room

c] a baseball field in my backyard 

I have been smiling as I leave Skype dates feeling 

energized and connected to people I love.  

I smiled during a project weekend with my friends 

Curt & Alicia,

and I smile as I watch my new room come together.

I smile as I thank countless people for rides around this island,

selfless friends I have.  [ Plankenhorns ;) ]

I smile during every single episode of "Parenthood"

especially when we watch it on the projector!  

And I find myself smiling with my roomies 

Lorriane & Heather

during shared meals and house projects.

I smiled last week when we were served our

chinola y fresa drinks in FANCY glasses

and I pretty much always end up smiling with I'm with these girls.

I also end up smiling during our after school workouts,

always entertaining…

[think P90X yoga, the butt bible, and TurboFire] 

This week:

Smiles - 525 [rough estimate]

Cries - 4 

not even a close fight.  

What have you been smiling about lately?  

It's better to count the smiles than the cries.  

My dad taught me that :)