I've known for many years that smiles are extremely contagious. Yesterday, as my kids and I rode the carousel at the South Town Mall, my belief was proven again. As we went round and round and up and down on metal horses, Christopher was smiling and laughing in his own infectious way. Many people were standing and sitting near by. I began to hear people say "look how much fun that little boy is having" and "he sure likes that," etc. Mom's pointed Christopher out to their kids--not because of his disabilities, but because of his ABILITY to be so contagiously happy on a free carousel ride.
The bad thing about the smile epidemic is that it's sudden onset can be quickly eliminated byworldly notions of political correctness that teach us to be offended easily, anger quickly, and criticize harshly.
We will all experience more joy and happiness in life by allowing the exhilaration of simple pleasures to last and be renewed time and time again without letting the world steal our treasure. Christopher is a perfect example of this happiness principle. Though he is physically limited, he is spiritually gifted.