The Need a Smile Folder

I had a wonderful time at the Golden Jubilee exhibition yesterday and encourage all of you again to explore the conferences and exhibits in your local area. Often your local Office on Aging or the Area Agency on Aging will have information about local meetings where eldercare providers show off their services and where you can gather information.

While I was away, I received an e-mail from my sister which contained a half-dozen cartoons featuring Maxine, the crusty senior citizen who tells it like it is and makes me laugh out loud. It was one of my mini-vacations for the day--and a delightful one. I immediately saved that e-mail in a folder called "Need a Smile?". There are about 20 e-mails stored there, some funny, some inspirational, all sent by friends near and far who were thinking of me and sent me their good wishes. I do receive humor that doesn't make me laugh and some inspirational pieces that are too sappy for my taste, so I save only the "best" (my personal judgment) in the Need a Smile folder.

I know of other people who do the same thing in paper by cutting out articles and cartoons from magazines or newspapers and keeping them handy when life feels particularly rough. It only takes one or two of these to make the day a little brighter.

If you don't have a Need a Smile folder, start one today. Electronic, paper or both. Then when you need that mini-vacation, you have a good laugh or inspiration right there.

Blessings on your caregiving!