Hold on a second...This isn't about Teeth. I promise.
As I was looking at the pictures of the International coverage for Obama's nomination, I was struck by the pictures most chose. It was all about the smile.
A smile is the most primal of Human communication. It's one of the very first ways we express ourselves as babies. It transcends language. It speaks universally. Even other species seem to understand it.
There are a million different smiles. Big smiles. Little smiles. Smiles born in pain and suffering. Smiles born in love. Smiles of joy. Smiles of achievement. Smiles of wonder. Big grins and little smirks.
There are also sad smiles. Forced smiles. Angry smiles. Insincere smiles. Smiles that hide the truth. Smiles that want to rip you off. Smiles born of hate.
You know the type I mean.
..............................
Me? I'm not really a big smiler...especially when it comes to politics.
I was an angry punk forged in the Reagan years. The Democratic party was merely a pipeline to channel my loathing for the right. They were never really going to represent my politics...they were my "lesser of two evils".
Times change, and I have too.
When I look at Barack smiling, I see a man at peace with who he is, and who he will become. I see a man that cares about what he says. A sincere smile. A smile that says " C'mon...with some hard work, we can do this".
I see a smile that motivates me to be involved.
I see a smile that makes me think, "Maybe things can be different this time".
I see a smile that makes me want to smile as well.
I see the smile of Hope.
I think the rest of the world sees it too.