Even in the worst of times, people find ways to make themselves happy.
Often, they draw closer to their people.
Or, sometimes, it comes with the recognition of small miracles in their own backyard.
Few would say the late 1930s and early 1940s were happy times.
Yet, in one of history’s darkest eras, there were joyful moments.
Here are some of them.
Serving up luscious desserts at the town barbeque.
Getting special kisses at the rodeo.
Jitterbugging. Getting lost in the music.
Standing tall like a real cowboy.
Making music after a hard day.
Licking ice cream cones in the back of Dad’s truck.
Still with your old lover.
Looking around the state fair with a lot of big sisters.
Delighting fellow inmates with the jailhouse blues.
Playing cops and robbers when toy guns were considered harmless fun.
Making something beautiful out of scraps.
Trusting the future and getting married, despite everything.
Out of the kitchen and earning big money while gossiping in the railroad’s break room.
Giving the dog a ride on Dad’s tractor.
Who has the bigger smile, the dog or the boy?
*****
Hey, are you smiling?
We hope so.
I’ll see you tomorrow.
— Brenda
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