A good laugh heals a lot of hurts. — (Madeleine L’Engle)
At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities. — (Jean Houston)
And keep a sense of humor. It doesn’t mean you have to tell jokes. If you can’t think of anything else, when you’re my age, take off your clothes and walk in front of a mirror. I guarantee you’ll get a laugh. — (Art Linkletter)
This morning under the Christmas tree, I reached for the gift of laughter. Sweet, gentle amusement. Rollicking belly laughs. Great loud guffaws. Helpless gasping heehaws. Rolling childlike giggles. Loud chortles and soft chuckles. Hearty cackles of pleasure.
No snickers or snorts or titters or eye rolling or sarcastic commentary, please, in my gift. Just the pure, unrestrained pleasure of laughter. A bit of gentle satire directed towards my own beloved eccentricities is acceptable, since after all, pleasure in one’s own foibles is a gift from God.
My favorite-est thing to do, to have, in all the world is spontaneous laughter. In whatever heaven may be, I’ll bet there will be laughter rolling and reverberating about. Music of the gods.
That’s how I know there will be animals in heaven. They offer us such an enormous well of possibilities for humor in just being who they are. Maybe my under-the-tree package could have a few animals in it, too. Especially goats. Goats are funny.
My second best thing in all the world are animals. Why I didn’t become an animal something or other instead of a person shrink is beyond me.
I always said I married my first husband because he made me laugh. What a precious gift. For a long time after he died, I thought I would never laugh again. But I did, and in that laughter, he is here.
And so, on this morning, I reach for humor of only the best and non-hurtful kind. And knowing that each of our senses of humor is very different, I wish that for you as well, in whatever form it takes for you. And if you are not at a place where that is yet possible for you, wait patiently. It will come. Everything is seasonal.