There are smiles, and then, there are true smiles.

A new faith is emerging for people weary of anger and fear. Smiles matter.

More smiling, less worrying. More compassion and empathy, less judgement and argument. More love, less hate. I doubt that Kelly Nolan would express this as her philosophy – maybe she would – but it is the way she lives, what her smile says, it is the way she deals with people, even in a crowded and sometimes chaotic bar.

I’ve been taking pictures of Kelly and her radiant smile for nearly a year, and I never tire of taking the picture, and she never mentions it or comments on it, but she accepts it graciously and naturally. I think she likes the portraits, but I can’t say for sure, she just doesn’t mention it much, we chat about everything else.

Kelly accepts who she is, and who other people are. She ought to go to Washington, except I would fear for her there.

The customers at the Bog bar, many of them Kelly’s friends, like the photos and often thank me for taking them. Kelly’s smile is more important than she is, I think, it is a symbol of the grace and tolerance that lies within people, sometimes dormant or pushed aside by resentment and greed or envy.

Mother  Teresa said that peace begins with a smile, and for me, a true smile signals an inner grace, a love of life, a  generosity of spirit. Somehow, Kelly’s smile signifies hope, and I thank her for letting me take  her picture so often. She is a light unto the world, I think.