The Shadow of Your Smile

No apologies for coming of age in the 50’s and 60’s. Those two decades of music are buttons #1 and #2 on our Sirus satellite auto radio. The 1959 and 1960 Grammy Award Song of the Year was: (envelope please) Johnny Mandel’s hit, “The Shadow of Your Smile”. It also is in the top 100 songs in American Cinema, the theme song of the movie “The Sandpiper”. It also won the Academy Award for the best original song.

So what is so special about this tune that these top artist gave it life and meaning: Tony Bennett, Barbara Streisand, Andy Williams, Percy Faith, Perry Como, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Dean Martin, Al Martino, Connie Francis, Marvin Gaye, Herb Alpert, Al Hirt, Engelbert Humperdinck Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, Tom Jones and Kenny G?

What is so special is that this song is a testimony to the power, influence, friendship, calming effect, recognition and acceptance of another, favor and love for another, a reflection of the peace and tranquility within your soul that a beautiful smile conveys to others. Quite a significant signal of communication, not easily ignored or forgotten. The haunting melody goes with these words:
The shadow of your smile
When you are gone
Will color all my dreams
And light the dawn
Look into my eyes
My love and see
All the lovely things
You are to me
Now when I remember spring
All the joy that love can bring
I will be remembering
The Shadow of Your Smile.

I have just returned from my niece’s funeral at her church filled with friends, family, caregivers and others touched by how she maintained the last 41/2 years of her long painful battle with cancer with a smile for everyone. A portrait of her beautiful smiling face dominated the pulpit area of the sanctuary. Nearly every electronic message from over 600 responders, as did the two ministers in the eulogy, focused on how Sandy’s warm welcoming smile made you feel knowing the adversity overwhelming her life. Interestingly, as Sandy gave her last breath back to the Lord she loved – a smile settled over face in death bringing joy and loveliness to remember while she is gone. Her smile has cast a very long shadow -from here to eternity.

Of all the things you wear your smile is the most important.
John B. Harrison DDS,MSc

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