Our little man has always been a super happy fellow. Once that nasty encephalocele was removed, he hardly ever cried. The nurses in the NICU knew that if Steven was crying, there was something up. He started smiling when he was roughly 3 months old and hasn't stopped. He started laughing when he was about 5-6 months old. His laughter is so contagious. No matter where we go, if he starts giggling, soon, everyone within ear shot is too!
Today was family errand day. We needed a few groceries and whatnot. So, off to Smiths we went. S has been getting a big independent streak and feels that he has to PUSH the cart rather than ride in it. He needs to help Mommy. We get our cart and head over to the produce section. He sees donuts and I lose him. :) Several people saw him teeterin' his way to the tasty pastries and smiled. One person in particular caught my attention. A landscaper came around the corner with a not so happy look on his face, but the minute he saw S his whole countenance changed. S smiled his super huge smile and pointed at the donuts. The gentleman beamed at my little boy. He walked back to get something for lunch I assume and S waved as he walked away. This worker may or may not have English as a second language, but it didn't matter. Smiles are universal. We head over to the "wallamelon" to see if we can find a good one. A Smith's employee came by us, pulling one of those pallets moving thingys. She looked tired and not too happy to be at work. The minute S saw her, he ran and say HI! She stopped. He started walking towards the beer, of all things, that was on sale. She smiled and said, "My kind of man." He smiled again and blew her kisses. She got a huge smile on her face and you could tell, her burden was lightened. We saw her again in a different section of the store and instantly, smiles were on everyone's faces.
My favorite part of our trip was checkout. We were being helped by a lovely lady. She saw S and smiled at him. He instantly blew her kisses and did his best Tatum Channing pose (lifted up his shirt with one hand). He pointed at his belly and giggled. The employee smiled so brightly and said that he had just made her whole day. She asked if he wanted a sticker. YES! She gave him, gosh, 5 or 6 stickers. He signed "thank you." And when she signed back "you're welcome," S light up like a Christmas tree! He was so excited to be communicating :)
It amazes me how much impact he has a strangers. This little jaunt to the store was definitely proof of that. No matter where we go, he always makes new friends. He's brightened many a day. My freakin' genius of a husband remarked that this must be one of his gifts. Steven may have a lot of "setbacks" or "trials," but he has so many gifts that sometimes I forget. His kind heart and warm smile are definitely gifts from a loving Heavenly Father.
My little hero scatters sunshine every where he goes.
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