They Left Behind A Wonderful Trail Of Smiles

by Caterina Barregar, Founder of Make Love Your Compass™

Yesterday, I went for a walk at Roche Cove here on Vancouver Island.It’s fall here now, and I love noticing the changing colours of the leaves and the crunchy sound they make as I walk. 

And then there was another sound  somewhere in the distance.  I heard pure joy.   Singing, laughter, and voices full of joy.

As the sound came closer, I saw a group of older teens, maybe twenty or so, walking together along the trail. They were talking, laughing, and just being. I felt such joy rise up in me that I placed my hand over my heart and smiled.

There was something so magical in all of it,  the music, the laughter, the energy they shared.

I could feel that connection deep inside.

As they passed by, I placed my hand over my heart again.

What surprised and me and made me feel even more connected to these beautiful kids was that as my smile grew bigger and bigger, many of them placed their hands over their hearts too. It was one of those moments that was truly heart to heart. 

They continued down the trail, still singing, and I stood there soaking in the beauty of it.  My smile just wouldn’t leave me. 

Then suddenly, I heard, “Hey lady!”

Two of them had run back toward me.

I turned towards them.  “Hi guys”
“Can we take a picture?”, one of them asked.

“Of course, I would love to take a picture of you”.

“No,” they said. “With you. Your smile was so sweet — we want to remember.”

I smiled, they beamed, and when the photo was taken, the rest of the group let out the most genuine, heartfelt “Awww.”

I stood there, completely touched. 

For that brief moment, the generations between us disappeared.

We were just people, connected through kindness and joy and deep appreciation for each other.

That’s what Make Love Your Compass™ has always been about for me . It’s about those simple, unexpected moments that remind us love isn’t something we have to look for.

It’s already here. Waiting to be met with an open heart.

And when I think about them every now and then I will remember that that kind of connection is still there, still beautiful and it still matters.  I will put my hand on my heart, and I will smile from ear to ear.  

Smiles, 

Caterina Barregar