God on the Ground: A Divine Smile

Dr. Simpson, like Rebecca, I am grinning and laughing! I was the woman of colour in Pasadena for a week in May, on North Fair Oaks Ave and Colorado, smiling and speaking to strangers. I gave them the same reaction you were given. Some were hesitant and others just stared as if I were a lunatic but my appearance and demeanor contradicted those thoughts. I so adored your description of a "multicultural tooth festival." May I borrow it? My profession was inevitable because I've smiled since the day of my birth. I work in Dentistry and my smile is the first compliment I always receive. This comment isn't about me. I just relate so well to this article. I thoroughly enjoyed it, too. God is everywhere, even on the ground. Thank you for a beautiful, well-written piece. :)

This similar incident happend to me yesterday. Two men smiled at me in a store, I was taken aback too but immediately smiled back. i had been to Easter church service, as I smiled I realized that maybe I was the one walking around with my head in the clouds, , looking unfriendly. The Bible has a verse (I cant remember where it is) which basically says that if people are not smiling at you that it is good to look at your self becasue you may be the frowning one also. It is true.

I know exactly what you mean! I grew up in NC where people nod and wave at strangers driving by and now I live in California where people only honk and snicker at each other. I think our society's selfish nature makes everyone put up defensive walls. But in reality, "no man is an island."

Dr Simpson, I'm smiling at you now. Can you feel it all the way down in SoCal?? Thanks for more great insight and perspective. I love it when there's a new edition of God on the Ground here on DC!