It was Christmas morning, and all the extended family that was able gathered together for our holiday feast and annual Christmas gift exchange. This year things changed up a little bit, and the requirements of the gift exchange changed to a Theme of "something Brown" and under $10.00. The rules are simple. We draw numbers that designate our turn to choose a gift or steal from someone who has opened ahead of you.
As soon as my cousin across the room opened the package containing a brown picture frame of a photo of what I perceived as an old photo, possibly even Frank Sinatra, I knew I wanted it. I was number 14 out of 18, which is proper placement and a good chance to steal without having the gift taken from me in the end. After my cousin was able to find his glasses to take a closer look at the photo, I found out that it was a photo of my grandfather probably taken in the 1950s. Of course, that made me want it more.
![Old photo of Gerald Barnhart](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1866/5673/files/EF5D5D13-3930-4EF9-80C9-950E2182D3CF_large.jpeg?v=1578891523)
As the family members stepped up to claim their gift, no one seemed to recall the photo remaining with my cousin. My turn arrived, and I stood up, proclaiming that I wasn't afraid to be the "asshole" who steals the gift. I snagged the photo, and as I got a closer look at it, I couldn't help but notice my grandfather's smile. It was similar to my big cheesy grin that everyone seems to love.
![April Barnhart jewelry designer](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1866/5673/files/5C9BA528-B43C-471E-9006-61E5BACB6740_large.jpeg?v=1578893648)
Number 15 went after me (safe), followed by 16 (safe) only two more gifts left. I was going to make it and keep this lovely photograph. I was mentally designating a spot for it on my wall when number 17 (my other cousin) STOLE MY PHOTO!!!! "Darn it!" I thought! So close. How could this cousin even want it, I thought? After all, I was the oldest of all the grandchildren I technically knew my grandfather; the longest...this cousin was way way way down the line. But never-the-less rules are rules, and I had to relinquish my beloved photograph and pick one of the two gifts from the pile. One is a gift my mother had put in, so I knew what it was. I didn't need a small teacup and vase to add to my over-cluttered apartment, so I opted for the other gift remaining. It wasn't an intriguing old photograph, but for a white elephant/cheap gift exchange coming out with a box of Godiva chocolates was still a bit of a win.
It is incredible how something as simple as a smile can travel across generations. I tend to get self-conscious about my smile I don't have perfectly straight white gleaming teeth. Yet a smile does go along way, and when I get behind the camera, I do not look natural without my gleaming smile. Throughout the years that is one thing that has endured is my bright and happy smile. One you will see greet you whenever I am selling my jewelry at a local craft market.
![April Barnhart of Aprilierre](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1866/5673/files/2D5D644B-007C-4457-9191-6874A2765D83_1_201_a_large.jpeg?v=1578893796)
![April Barnhart jewelry designer](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1866/5673/files/April_Smile_large.png?v=1578893087)