[PenultimateManStanding]

I was walking down the alley to the store run by a Chaldean named Mike when a young woman with lots of tattoos came out a gate and walked in front of me. Nice shape, pretty face. She was getting into a white Toyota and I said 'nice tats.' She looked my way but didn't smile and I went into the store. So I was telling Mike about it and then she walked in as I was just through telling Mike about the tats. I said, "Oh, it's you!" and she gave a big beautiful smile. She'd started her car, parked it and came walking into the store. Yesterday I was walking down the street and saw some kids. A girl around 8 or 9 was wielding a toy ray gun of some kind. As I walked by I put up my hands and said, "don't shoot." She gave me this adorable grin. I like these brief things, sometimes the tiniest moments give great satisfaction.

[WildRose]

When I was in China in April, I had the opportunity to watch some local dancers. The first occasion was in Beijing, some older women dressed in hot pink doing a traditional dance outdoors in their neighborhood. I made eye contact through much of the dance with one of the women, and she smiled and nodded her head at me as she could see how much I was enjoying watching her dance.

The second time was at a government-sponsored after-school facility for kids in Shanghai, where they can take all manner of dance and art lessons. I watched a class of young girls dancing ballet, and one young girl close to where I was standing had the most beautiful expression on her face as she danced. When the music stopped, she looked at me and flashed the biggest smile.

I agree, those little moments stick with a person.

[PenultimateManStanding]

It happened again, today. A girl, around 10, gave me a look of doubt and then sadness. I gave her a sad smile in return. This ability we have, to communicate in microseconds, is astonishing.

[bodigami]

What is of most value is that which can not be bought, only gifted: smiles, hugs, kisses...