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| The few photos of Mother until this senior portrait were very somber - much like Grandpa's portrait. |
First, genetics passed from her Cherokee descent plays a huge role. God blessed Mother and my maternal grandpa, Calvin Callcayah Smith, with a full mouth and beautiful, straight teeth. These physical traits had to originate with Grandpa’s father, Walter Smith. Mother’s cousin, Elizabeth Purcell Hammer, and I visited many times before her death at age 103. She told of her family living briefly with her maternal grandparents after her family’s house burned and spoke of her grandpa encouraging her and her sisters to dance as my grandpa and his brother, Isaac, played stringed instruments. Immediately, I asked her who Great grandpa Walter resembled. She said, “Your grandpa looked like him more than any of the others.” I deduced Mother’s “mouth” initially “belonged” to her paternal grandpa, since he was categorized as full blood and must come through her Cherokee heritage.
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| Few Photographs taken in the 1920s had the subject smiling. Grandpa was no exception. |
As long as I can remember, daily
dental care has been of utmost importance in Mother’s life. I have been so
imprinted with her routine. Last year, as we returned at 1:30 a.m. from a
late-night ER visit, with the assistance of my brother-in-law and sister, we
got our drowsy mother into bed. I exclaimed in a guarded voice, “But she has
not brushed and flossed her teeth!” My brother-in-law replied, “Don’t worry
about it tonight.”
For over forty years, Mother
faithfully had her dental exams twice a year with Dr. Henderson. She had a good
relationship with her dentist whom Dad referred to as Doc. Dr. Gary Henderson
and Dad shared interests in cattle raising, flying, and World War II history.
Dad looked forward to the dental checks for the visiting they would do.
With
thanks to the Lord for giving her a good set of teeth, Mother’s stringent daily
care, and the assistance of a dedicated dentist, Mother still retains her own
teeth.
Often,
as she brushes and flosses each night, I remind her health is directly tied to
having a good set of teeth so she can eat anything she wants. Other times, we
laugh when I remind her of little sign in one of Dr. Henderson’s exam rooms. It
stated, “Only floss the teeth you want to keep.”
Her
DNA, her daily dental care, and a dedicated dentist have contributed to her
beautiful smile. The most important contributor I have saved for last. A smile
originates internally in one’s spirit fueled primarily by one’s attitude.
Solomon
writes in Proverbs 15:13, A
glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.(ESV) The wisest man who ever lived, Solomon
gives insight into retaining “a glad heart” in Proverbs 12:25 with these words,
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs
him down, but a good word makes him glad.(ESV)
Anxiety as scripture says, “weighs…” one
“down.” Encouraging words from loved ones and friends lift the heavy heart, but
nothing can replace the strengthening received from reading God’s Word. Our
pastor taught on the life and impact of Ezra and said many attributed Psalm 119
to Ezra’s authorship. In the last phrase of Psalm 119:28, God inspired these
words, … strengthen me
according to Your word! (ESV)
May
we all be challenged to give a smile to all we meet. It costs nothing.
Investing in smiling can yield great dividends to yourself and anyone with whom
you share the smile. The oldest Big Bend resident would recommend and encourage
smiling. It has served her well these 99 years.
