For the first time in many days, the sun is shining!

What a welcome sight! I’m sure all the budding plants are feeling great, and the returning birds are so happy they are singing like crazy. It seems everything and everyone likes sunshine.

Growing up on the prairie of southwest Minnesota, we were honored to see the sun as it first peeked over the horizon on a clear day. There was the promise of another day to accomplish something good. As the sun set each evening, it was as if that ball of light was telling us that we did good today — now rest as I take a rest. But don’t worry, I’ll be back tomorrow morning and bring you another opportunity to do more good.

Now, living in the Driftless Area of the state, and although we don’t get to see the first peek of the sun because of the bluffs, the same promise emits from that ball of light. Keep on doing good and let your sun shine.

The sun always brought a smile to my sun burned face.

Isn’t that why we exist? To bring goodness and a smile to our world? Our smiles are our shining sun so let your sun shine! That bit of shining from your face is worth it for many reasons. Your smile connects you, even if it’s only for a brief moment, to the stranger walking by you. It continually connects you to your old friends. And it continues to cement our families together and to formulate joy. For instance …

I walked into a local coffee shop, and was greeted by the bunny ear wearing staff. Well, not all the staff were wearing bunny ears — one had a goose hat on her head. Everyone broke out in gleeful smiles and laughter as I called her my Loosey Goosey. It was a sun shining moment and resulted in me taking a picture of Loosey Goosey to share with my granddaughters.

A smile is a gesture of thankfulness. For those working hard to serve others, that smile is worth a ton of words. It shows you appreciate their service and that you acknowledge them. Be thankful for those around you and always respect them.

Speaking of respect, I recently had the joy of revisiting an old wine friend of mine. It had been a while since I’d tasted a Sangiovese so it was time. I got a bottle of Tenuta Sassoregale Tuscan Sangiovese, uncorked it, and smelled the delicious scent of it. Pouring the red wine into my glass brought a smile to my face. Then that delicious light tart cherry taste with a very pleasing oak finish brought me much joy. There’s so much sun shine in that wine that it made me smile on a gray, chilly and rainy day.

Are you aware of how our eyes bind us together? When we smile at someone, we will normally look at that person’s smile. I would suggest something that I learned sometime ago. Look at the person’s eyes. See the smile in them and let your smile shine from your eyes. Eyes are the door to our inner self so always let that sun shine from them.

The other day I went to our local grocery store. The lady in front of me at the check out station had minor mobility issues, and the check out person was looking for another staff person to help her take her grocery cart to her car. I said I could help her, and the two of us chatted on the way to her car. I put the groceries in her car, and she thanked me for being so kind. I thanked her and replied I’m sure she would do the same thing for me. She smiled and her eyes were as bright as the sun. Kindness brings sunshine.

It seems time to to take a walk beside Old Man River. It is always inspiring and brings a smile to me.

May you always let your sun shine through your smiles.

As always, eat and drink in moderation, but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!