Part 7

The Power of a Smile to Change Lives:  Denny’s Story Part 7

Before it was time for Dr. Yeh to start his Tai Chi class, two ladies could be seen with their heads together, talking intently in the corner.  Every now and again, they would scan the exercise room with their eyes, fixing on the same point, and then go back to their impassioned conversation.  

Paula was describing to her friend, Mimi, about some odd changes she had seen lately in her husband, Denny.  Mimi nodded as she realized what Paula said was true.  Denny was not himself.  Instead of lurking silently at the back of the exercise room, both girls watched as he mingled with the rest of the group, telling stories about his grandkids.  This was highly unusual, to be sure.  

The women stopped their speaking for a moment and watched in silent awe as Denny pulled out his phone to show pictures of his granddaughter’s dance recital to the attentive audience he had standing around him.  His wife shook her head in shock, and their heads bent together once more in fervent conversation.  Last week Denny didn't even know his phone came with a camera.  Paula didn’t know what to make of it, and it was cause for more than a little anxiety.

Mimi couldn’t help herself and began to grin broadly, having gone through a similar life change, treating herself to a "Dr. Yeoman" smile.  She was starting to see the humor of the situation as she realized what was going on.

“You aren’t used to Denny behaving this way, are you?” Mimi asked.

“No!  I mean I expected him to look better when he got his new dentures, but I really didn’t expect him to change.”

“And now he’s become the socialite in the family.  He’s usurped your place,” Mimi said smiling brightly.

“Exactly!  Well, I mean, I hardly recognize him.  And he’s driving me crazy.  I’ve always encouraged him to be civil to the people around him, but now the Ol’ Goat won’t shut up.  You should have heard what he said to the lady clerk at the post office.  I was so embarrassed!... look at you, smiling so smug,” she clucked.  “You take him home with you!”

Mimi burst out laughing at Paula’s exasperation.  She saw herself in Denny's antics.  What she suspected all along was true.  A new smile doesn’t just change the face, it changes the heart as well.  Denny’s heart was overflowing rediscovering the life he had been missing out on for so many years.  His Eeyore raincloud had blown away, and seeing the sun again made him bubble over with enjoyment.  He obviously had been cultivating a relationship with his granddaughter that had never been there before. Denny was making up for lost time.  He was almost ready to learn how to text message.  Almost.

Denny’s Story Part 6 Denny’s Story Part 8