Is it OK to smile?

To the Editor:

As in the days following our nation's attack by terrorists, our small town of Puxico and the surround community are feeling the effects of death. And again, we wonder is it okay to smile again? We hate it when "life goes on as before" and it's "business as usual."

I guess we're waiting to somehow reach out to those here who have lost and are grieving. We don't always know the appropriate way to say "I'm so sorry." The changes we face are almost as a dream. Someone's families gait walking quickly down our short streets or their expected smile and words of interest are missing.

But inside, in a recess of our hearts and minds, we have and hold our memories. Our personal heart-felt thoughts cannot be jerked away from us. And it's a comfort to return to them as often as we need to. And the cold days of fall and winter coming on can't chill the warm glow of laughter and happier times from the past.

I think we need to remind one another and ourselves that it's very okay to smile again. We need to smiles for each other and reach out a helping hand. Friends do that.

Patsy Mitchell

Puxico, Mo.