"Smile"

Smile

You're better than the best
I'm lucky just to linger in your light
Cooler than the flip-side of my pillow (that's right)
Completely unaware
Nothing can compare to where you send me
It lets me know that it's okay (yeah, it's okay)
And the moments when my good times start to fade

Even when you're gone
Somehow you come along
Just like a flower poking through the sidewalk crack
And just like that
You steal away the rain
And just like that

When I hear this song, I think of my friend who passed away. I hadn’t heard it in a while, but I heard it yesterday and it brought back lots of memories with my friend. Freshmen year when we were dating we went to homecoming together. It was our first dance together and I was extremely nervous and I know he was also. We both liked country music so we pretty much only danced when the DJ played a country song. We were standing in the hallway, by the gym where the dance was, talking to friends when the song Smile came on. I looked at Dakota and said, “I love this song.” He grabbed my hand and led me to the dance floor. We danced and sang to it. I was the happiest girl there. Dakota definitely knew how to make me smile. It was a first love situation, so the lyrics just fit us perfectly. I look at the song differently now because Dakota passed away. I looked at the part when it says, “Even when you’re gone, somehow you come along just like a flower poking through the sidewalk crack,” and smile because I know he’s in heaven watching over me.

          Talking about homecoming reminds me of senior year homecoming. Dakota and I went to that together and I remember being in the middle of the dance floor when the fire alarms went off. At first I thought it was just a noise or part of the music because it was so loud. That was not the case. All the students had to evacuate the gym and go outside to the parking lot. I remember someone started their car and started blaring, Parking Lot Party. It obviously fit the situation pretty well. After we were told we could go back inside, they played a couple country songs but not Smile. I was really hoping the DJ would but he didn’t. I know Dakota and I danced to a couple slow songs, but I can’t remember what they were.    

          Back to talking about the song Smile. My dad wanted me to make him a mix CD and on the list was this song. I made it for him and now every time we’re in his truck, he blares the CD. That’s all we listen to, so I know the track numbers. Number three is Smile. When it comes on my dad and I sing our hearts out. For me, it’s one of those songs that never gets old and one that holds many memories for me.