I was in a local grocery store the other day sorting through some bananas, when suddenly I heard, "Daddy!" and simultaneously felt two tiny arms wrap around my right leg. I looked down to see a lovely little girl no more than three years old looking up at me. She wore a flowered dress and had shoulder length black hair. Her smile gleamed with newly grown teeth. The most beautiful thing about her, however, were her brown eyes. They sparkled with the brightness of her soul. I felt my heart warm when I looked into them. It was like the light of God had traveled down from Heaven to shine through this child.

She quickly saw that I wasn't her Daddy, laughed, and said, "Oops sorry". Then she spotted her real Dad picking out a gallon of milk and skipped down the aisle to be with him. I smiled and stood there for a long time lingering in that moment of joy. It was one of those moments that you wish could have lasted forever. It was one of those memories that does.

Even now as I write this I can still see those eyes. They had that special sparkle that only happens when you give your love freely and unconditionally. I have seen that sparkle in the eyes of 9 month olds, 90 year olds, and every age in between. I have seen it in my Mom's eyes, in my Nana's eyes, and in the eyes of my children. I have seen it in the eyes of friends and the eyes of strangers. I have seen it shine through in pictures taken 70 years ago. I have even been blessed to see it in my own eyes from time to time.

May your own eyes always sparkle. May they sparkle from the love in your heart. May they sparkle from the kindness of your soul. May they sparkle from the goodness of your life. May they sparkle with the light of Heaven. God loves you and He wants you to shine bright, to love deep, and to make this world sparkle with joy. Start today then and live forever in light.