Power of Nonverbals

I will never forget our final good-bye to my father-in-law. It was the most beautiful fall late morning. We were surrounding his grave in a horseshoe shape, his closest family members and friends. The 21 gun salute veterans were a few yards away.  I looked around at the different expresses our family members held: everything from smiles to sobs. My mother-in-law was all smiles, a smile of pride especially when she was handed the folded flag in honor of her husband's years of service.  I was amazed by both the spectrum of emotions being displayed as well as those who were willing to show their feelings openly versus those who kept their feelings masked. Nonverbal messages can be so powerful.