SMILE | AN UPHILL CLIMB
The video and full project details
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
I know myself well enough to say I’ve been a little down lately… maybe a reflection of the slow creep of life catching up with my relatively poor habits, periods of excessive stress, and ignoring the reality of understandable but also undeniable virtual self-inflicted wounds. If I’m honest, though, the true unrest in my gut is the realization I’m ignoring my core values in exchange for those that don’t really matter. I realize I’m not the same as I used to be.
So today, I’ll act on an idea I’ve had for quite some time. My goal is to intentionally chip away at what keeps me awake at night and, however small it may be, start the reversal of things in my control. Today I want to see. Today I want to feel. Today I want to smile. Today, I think I’ll go for a walk…
There’s a hill on the road outside my neighborhood I’ve driven thousands of times. Admittedly, my mind is most often distracted on those drives, not so much on the road in front of me but all the random thoughts circling in my head. There Is plenty built up there over 52 years.
I haven’t seen or spoken to Jennifer Pearce in over 35 years. Other than Facebook curiosity, it is safe to say I have no idea what she’s made of her time since high school. Aside from my memory of a kind girl one year my junior, my only knowledge of her is that she lives with an unimaginable pain and dedicates herself to the memory of her younger sister, Nicole Lee.
On January 26,2008 Nicole tragically passed in a car accident caused by drowsy driving. I didn’t know Nicole but feel deeply for Jennifer and her family … the constant smile on Nicole’s face taken too early. What strikes me, though, is Jennifer’s passion in support of Nicole’s legacy as an advocate for safe driving. As a first-person educator she’ll speak to anyone interested in the topic, hoping it changes just one life. Then, on each anniversary of Nicole’s passing, Jennifer loads up her vehicle with smiley-face balloons and spreads cheer to strangers for no other reason than a random act of kindness. And a reminder to smile.
So, Jennifer, this one’s for you. In a small token of your unwavering dedication to Nicole and your selfless acts. I’d be honored if you accept this gift as recognition that today and every day you make a difference. I know it has in mine.
May her smile live on forever.