B

The toothy grin came from the rear window of a car that pulled up next to mine on Main Street Friday morning.

Both of us were surprised – the young girl with her arm outstretched through the open window and hands waving to a tune I couldn’t hear from inside my air-conditioned vehicle, as I glanced over.

The car she was in was making a left turn onto Henry Street, possibly headed out to Morris Boulevard.

I was headed straight through the intersection, to continue on West Main all the way to Economy and then to the Tribune, affectionately called the ‘Turbine’ by my friend and longtime mentor, Cookie Larkin.

As both cars eased up to the stop sign, we exchanged a brief gaze.

Then we both decided to smile.

Her smile seemed joyous – her mouth opened as if to sing or exclaim something that brought her happiness.

My smile began as a polite effort to be friendly – adult to child – but after the exchange it stayed with me, I like to think as a positive indication of things to come.

I had just driven through a busy scene downtown. There were pedestrians everywhere, the parallel curb parking spots were filled.

I stopped briefly at the flower truck parked along the south side of Main, to allow the operator and a customer to walk out in front of me, but they waved me by with smiles.

Before that, as I was making a left turn off South Cumberland, I noticed that the original brick work is beginning to appear on the former Belk building, a sign that the intent of renovation is to respect the history of the place.

There are always stories to write, in any town really – but the increased activity in downtown Morristown will surely lead to a long “to do” list.

And that’s something to smile about.