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one
of the widest, brightest, bubbly grins I had ever seen! Those dark innocent
eyes came alive with an intense joy that warmed me from head to toe.
Her
smile seemed to shout, "Hi! Isn't it great to be alive together in
such a neat place?"
Five
years have passed since that exuberant knee-high smile. The picture remains
as fresh in my mind as it was that afternoon. I wonder what this little
girl would think if she knew that her smile painted an indelible picture in
someone's mind.
The
simplest gifts are often the most precious gifts, and the gifts we have to
share are many.
People
have incredible talents, often undiscovered. They have the wisdom of
experience, often unspoken. They have love that they need to share, often
locked inside them. Moreover, all people need love and acceptance — no
matter how stern and unyielding they appear on the surface.
Small
acts of kindness speak in loud voices. They inspire hope where there was
doubt. They bring comfort to those who are hurting. Sincere compliments
remind others how valuable and special they are.
A
kind gesture given to a stranger is an extremely powerful reminder that God
shares love through his children. These priceless gifts inspire faith.
Encouraging
words to a child are powerful emotional deposits of self-esteem. Meeting
injustice with forgiveness and integrity sets an example that can point
young lives in a positive direction. These are gifts with life-long effects
more valuable than any amount of gold.
It
has been said, "What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity.
They are scattered along life's pathway, and the good they do is
inconceivable." No one can take these priceless gifts away.
The
value of a gift is the unending love that continues to touch the lives of
many. If the gift of a beautiful knee-high smile can paint a lasting
picture, think of all the value contained in the precious gifts that you
could share with someone today!
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