Y Ddraig Goch

May 5 2025 - Just a Smile

Prompt: “It was only a smile, nothing more. It didn't make everything all right. It didn't make ANYTHING all right. Only a smile. A tiny thing. A leaf in the woods, shaking in the wake of a startled bird's flight. But I'll take it. With open arms." Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner. What is this quote saying to you, and how and why do you think a smile can be so important?

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When my son was about 13 weeks old and my daughter was two, I went shopping with them to get the weekly food shop. It was the first time I had ventured out, by myself, with both children. I was overly optimistic. Everything was going to go smoothly. I was not on the verge of a nervous breakdown induced by lack of sleep and post-pregnancy hormones/emotions... AT ALL...

I was wrong...

The kids decided that the supermarket was THE perfect place to pitch a fit. There were tears. There were tantrums. There were even a few bottles, dummies, and toys launched around the isles. It was loud! We found ourselves centre of attention. People looked. Stared. Shook their heads. Whispered not so quietly at how much noise my kids were making - "it was ridiculous".

I wanted to curl into a hole and never come out. I certainly would NEVER be showing my face in there again - without a heavy disguise.

But in amongst all of the, "perhaps in my head", judgement, I clocked eyes with another mum. We had never met before. I can't even remember what she looked like. We looked at each other and she just smiled. A small smile. No grand gesture. A simple smile that spoke volumes and said: "You've got this.", "We've all been there.", You're doing great." And I smiled back - in thanks, relief and everything else in between.

It was so small and seemingly insignificant. She didn't get anything out of the interaction. But it wasn't just a smile to me - it was acknowledgement and a gentle encouragement. It felt like a hug. And it stopped the tears - which believe me, were ready and willing to stream down my face.

It is something I have never forgotten. Especially when I see parents of young kids running the gauntlet out in public. It's something I now make sure to offer others.

It may be just a smile. Something small. But it can mean the world to someone and give them just enough to keep going.