Laughter is a gift. Maybelle Crabtree here. If every family has a comedian, then ours was my husband, Tom. He loved to laugh and make people smile. He was good-natured and sometimes he was the butt of his own jokes whether intentionally or not. You couldn’t help being in a better mood when you left his presence. Why I even learned to laugh at myself because of him. Hard to believe I was such a serious person before I met him. He brought the goofiness out in me. And his upbeat mood was contagious.
One year while we’re were dating I gave him a bear dressed as a jester as a birthday present. The accompanying card read, “Thanks for filling my life with joy and laughter.” He named the bear Chester the Jester and placed him on his credenza at work so that anyone who walked by his office door would see it. Chester now sits on Tom’s side of the bed and keeps me company at night; watching over me as I sleep.
I Thought I Would Never Laugh Again
After Tom died, I wondered if I would ever laugh again. The pain too intense. My joy was gone. The sun shrouded by clouds. How could I continue without the hilarity and giggles we shared at night? How could the void ever be filled?
But I’ll let you in on a little secret, my friends: the laughter does come back! The joy returns! Not overnight. Not in the proceeding days, weeks, or months. But it does come back. Not sure exactly when it happened for me. Maybe it was one of those times when the kids and I were reminiscing about one of our family vacations. Or maybe I was watching an old sitcom show that Tom and I enjoyed watching together. Maybe an old photo or the dad’s joke book he possessed triggered the little laugh.
And you know what? That one little laugh turned into two little laughs. Then three laughs. The four. And soon all the laughs that were bottled up inside of me managed to find a way out. Next the clouds scattered and I could see the sun again. The pain was still there but manageable. The void was a little less empty. And since then I haven’t stopped laughing. It’s a good feeling and I’m not squandering it any longer.
Laughter is from God
You see, laughter is a gift from God. He has given all of us that gift. It’s not reserved for a chosen few. Yes, there are some people who are funnier than others, but we all have the ability to laugh. Whether we decide to use this precious gift is another story altogether. I, for one, choose to laugh. It makes life so much more enjoyable.
In fact, if we don’t laugh we are doing a disservice to God. He intended us to laugh and use it every day. I view as a reflection of God’s character and laughing connects me directly to Him. I mean, just look at an anteater or an axolotl and you know God has a sense of humor.
Laughter is Spiritual
Spiritually, laughter can help you cope with stress and pain. It’s often known as medicine for the soul. Laughter can also build connections with others and break down barriers. It can provide perspective and help people avoid taking themselves too seriously – like yours truly. Finally, laughter is an expression of joy and gratitude for God’s blessings which can be a form of worship.
In the film, Mary Poppins, the character, Uncle Albert, floats into the air every time he has uncontrollable laughter. His secret? Just think of something funny and up you go. Soon Jane and Michael, Mary Poppins’ wards, and Bert the Chimney Sweep are also laughing hysterically and join Uncle Albert for an afternoon tea party up at the ceiling of his home.
Laughter is an amazing cure for many of our malaises. And, I’ve heard that there’s medical evidence the jovial people live longer lives than people who are more like sourpusses. Actually, if you think about it, it’s very difficult to feel sad when you’re laughing. I guess laughter is the best medicine after all!
To sum it all up, I choose to laugh. Even when life doesn’t seem to be going too well, I try to do it. It’s an enjoyable task and puts me in a better mood. Besides, I don’t ever want to offend the One who gave me the gift in the first place.
So what about all of you? Are you more of a Pollyanna or sourpuss? Leave a comment down below and let’s discuss. Maybelle Crabtree signing off.