Sprucelands smiles feel so good.

We just had the best ride!

There are all kinds of smiles at Sprucelands. Guess I'd like to make a statement about that. I've discovered when I see the kids smiling I feel like I'm making a difference.

I work in a school during the year. I'm amazed at how serious the kids are much of the time. My guess is your children become that serious too. There is so much academic stress these days. Add to that peer pressure and the adjustments our children are making to the real world are phenomenal. Of course, there are many teachers who make the learning fun, and that lightens the load.

Oh my gosh! You are just too funny!

To see the kids smile at camp feels really good. They have shed their 'out there' persona. Many try on new behaviors. Shy children make noise and assert themselves. Sometimes we actually give them a  horse that will demand that they assert themselves or the horse won't move. Some who are loud at home discover it's possible to be quiet and thoughtful of others. Others who are wall flowers find opportunities to be a leader.

The best smiles of all are those I see during genuine interactions. There's a release, a connection through belly laughter that is beyond anything you can imagine. I'm totally amazed that belly laughter is so novel to some of our campers. They tell me they don't laugh like we do anywhere else. So I'm guessing the silliness we enjoy here is almost therapeutic to some of us, me included.

Sunrise and Kristin are special together.

There are satisfied smiles that come with an accomplishment. Whether it is from a good riding lesson or learning how to tack a horse alone, those smiles are very real. They are heartfelt, reflecting confidence and love. I get the feeling their horse is suddenly their new best friend in the whole world. They even talk to their horse, often when others are paying no attention, and if I ask for a photo, they volunteer a smile willingly.

Then there are those smiles that happen even when there's work to be done. Doesn't matter whether we are feeding horses, cleaning stalls, tacking up, or helping a new rider feel secure. Everything is work unless you make it fun, and at Sprucelands, we all pitch in together, sharing camaraderie and building spirit in the process.

Hard work sometimes feels good.

So start your day with a smile. End your day with a smile. It takes fewer muscles to smile and spread some joy to those around you. We sure are doing it here, one wheelbarrow at a time.

Comments from you make my day.