My daughter and I share a pretty similar sense of humor and we get our funny bone tickled on a regular basis. She recently sent me a video one night that sent me sideways. The kind of unexpected joy that morphs into uncontrollable laughter. One of those moments that at first, was just an under your breath kind of mental haha, but then tiny audible heehees that you try to keep to yourself that turned into mostly silent tears that begin to stream from your face in hopes to not wake your husband, that finally erupt uncontrollably and now demands sharing but you can’t seem to get any words to come out to explain why you are acting like you are, that will make any sense to the man who is now wide awake and waiting. Waiting to hear and understand. When I replay it to show my husband, I was wrecked and trying to get to the bathroom while he was left speechless and not comprehending any of my hysteria. Poor man.
Now understand that this might have just been me. It would never be as funny for him as it was for me. Some might call me simple. I do enjoy a good laugh. He said ha ha and rolled back over. Oh well, it was funny, I swear. I laugh at myself on a regular basis. It reduces the stress of aging.
Some folks are great at telling jokes. They remember all the details and have the timing down pat. I’m terrible at telling jokes; I can never remember them. It must have something to do with my visual nature. I love to banter though and to watch my sons bounce insanity from one to the other keeps me oddly, well, sane. They could seriously have a standup routine, but I’d die of embarrassment at most of what they’d come up with.
My husband snorts when he laughs. He also is the one who usually makes others laugh, even if it’s more of a groan. He’s more an observer and commentator of human behavior. I honestly think that laughter has brought us enough joy to overcome the sadness that is inevitable in life. Second only to faith, it has been one of the foundational glues in our marriage.
It is the counterbalance to heartbreak. Ask anyone who has suffered grief. Those going through that horrific struggle sometimes share a weird, morbid sense of humor only those in the midst of that awful time can relate to.
Men have a life expectancy of about 73-74 years and women closer to 80. According to Psychology today, women also laugh 126% more than men. Hmmm
“Laughter is wine for the soul – laughter soft, or loud and deep, tinged through with seriousness – the hilarious declaration made by man that life is worth living.” – Sean O’Casey
Enjoy this engagement season of your life and may God grant you His peace and the kind of joy that only laughter can bring.
Elaine
p.s. Here is the link that put me in stitches. Laugh at your own risk.
