Isn't it lovelerly how important the small, simple gestures can be. The reference to the John Prine song reminded me of a time when I was a volunteer on a geriatric psychology ward. I was assigned to be a companion to a couple of old gentlemen whose families weren't nearby. There was a woman on the unit who spent her entire waking day saying "wah" (..no, hold your head like this and go 'wah'..)The staff would wheel her over to an isolated hallway where she would sit by herself and say "wah", as the world passed her staring, vacant eyes. I don't know how many times I walked past her, embarrssed and sad for her, and ashamed at my shyness and inadequacy to help. One day, and I don't know if I'd been listening to the Prine song around that time or not, I stopped, and said "Hello" to her. She stopped saying "wah", looked me in the eye, and said "hello" right back. Then back to "wah". Made my day.
Here's a line from 'Friends' - the Led Zeppelin song, not the TV show:

Mmm, I'm telling you now, The greatest thing you ever can do now,
Is trade a smile with someone who's blue now, It's very easy just...

Cheers, Bardford