Music:  That's What Friends are For

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Nancy's Journal
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A Thousand Reasons
I thought of using smiles as the theme for this page as I was looking
through my e-mail "Smile File."  The file was named by my friend, Mary,
when I told her that I was keeping all of her cheery, upbeat messages in a
special file so I could go through them once in awhile to cheer myself up.  
From that point forward, she called it my "Smile File" and has continued
to faithfully contribute to it.

I'd already torn my hamstring and was trying to rehab that, when I had a fall
and tore my rotator cuff.  These new challenges, in combination with a
couple of other ongoing painful health issues, found me becoming a little
discouraged (and, occasionally, more than a little grumpy).  That's when
Mary decided to make it her job to send me a "smile for the day" message
to help keep my spirits up.

Mother Teresa once said that we never know how much good a simple
smile can do.  I couldn't agree more - except, that, thanks to Mary's efforts,
I actually do know.  A smile can mean a lot.

I wish all of you smiles today and every day.  And good friends, so
you can share them.

-- Nancy
When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry,
show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile.
The photos on this page were taken in the beautiful
Central American country of Costa Rica.
Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes
your smile can be the source of your joy.  
-- Thich Nhat Hanh
All the statistics in the world can't measure the warmth of a smile.
-- Chris Hart
Too often we underestimate the power of a smile, a kind word, a
listening ear or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the
potential to turn a life around.  
-- Leo Buscaglia
I have witnessed the softening of the hardest of hearts by a simple smile.
-- Goldie Hawn
All people smile in the same language.
Smiling doesn't necessarily mean you're happy,
sometimes it just means you're strong.
In 1961, Pres. John F. Kennedy created the Alliance for Progress to aid Central
and South American countries, the aim being, in Pres. Kennedy's words:
"To achieve recognition of the right of all the people to share fully in our
progress...we offer a pledge to convert our good words into good deeds in a
new alliance for progress – to assist free men and free governments in casting
off the chains of poverty."

The President visited several countries in Central and South America and joined
the six presidents of the Central American governments at a meeting in Costa
Rica, where he spoke at the park which was later named in his honor.  

The committee established to implement the Alliance was disbanded in 1973.
Parque Kennedy, Puerto Limon, Costa RIca

I came across the picture of the park above while looking for photos of Costa Rica.  
It piqued my curiosity, so I did some research to find out why a Costa Rican park
was named for an American president.  The story doesn't fit in with my "smile
theme," but I'm including it because I thought it was an interesting bit of history.
When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.  -- Steve Maraboli
It was my mom who told me, "Ernie, if you make even one person happy
with your smile every day, you'll have accomplished a great deal."  And
that's all I've ever tried to do.  
-- Ernest Borgnine
Every smile makes you a day younger.  -- Chinese Proverb