Joan Burney is a great example of the importance of a smile

On The Brighter Side

Editor’s Note: The following column is being republished from October 2008, when the Cedar County News did a special editorial page to mark the end of Joan Burney’s 40-year column-writing career at the Cedar County News. She retired at the end of October 2008, but couldn’t quite put her pen down and wrote a column or two after that.

You have probably heard or know the importance of a smile and to find reasons to smile.

Well, living proof of how far a smile can take someone is Joan Burney. Joan Burney’s accomplishments are many and revolve around raising six children, being a farmwife and a welleducated writer, speaker, author and counselor.

Rarely have I seen Joanie without a smile or funny antidote in the midst of trials or joy.

She even mustered up a smile about 12 years ago when she had a dizzy spell and became ill, which garnered an ambulance ride for her. It was 6:30 a.m. when Jim flew back in the house and said, “There’s an Ambulance up at Burney’s. Get in the pickup. We gota’ get up there.”

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