Smile, Woman, Smile! by Helen A. Steinhauer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 16, 1909

“Smile, Woman, Smile!”

HELEN A. STEINHAUER

My dear dead mother scarce would recognize This haggard face,— these dreary, mirthless eyes, The anxious brow, beneath the graying hair, Once glossy brown, her pride and special care. Friends of my youth would startled gaze To see the changes — less of time and place That circumstance. A saddened, bruisèd heart And weary, painful days all bear a part In changing her whom they of yore Called “Sunshine-maker,”— now, alas! no more Loved and praised for bonnie, blithesome ways As in the old and happy girlhood days!

Smile, woman, smile! What if thy heart be sore Burdened and sickened, saddened to the core? Smile, woman, smile! for friends depart When faces shadow forth the tingling smart Of secret suffering.

Smile, woman, smile! Expected ’tis of thee To set thy griefs aside. Know friends and neighbors flee From saddened faces such as thine; those only care To linger who would have thee share — nay, bear — Their sorrows. Smile, woman, smile! For Jesus knows thy grief; and in a little while Sweet rest and peace, where silent heartaches cease, Where friendships deepen, and where joys increase, Where pain and sadness are fore’er unknown, Where no tears fall, before God’s great, white throne, Heaven’s bliss shall amply make amends to thee For all the pain and grief which now must be!

Battle Creek, Mich.