A Chuckle, A Cackle, A Chortle, A Giggle, A Snort

I have some free advice today!  It won’t cost you anything.  In fact, it is one of the cheapest forms of therapy you will find.  And if you are reading this blog and breathing air, you need this form of therapy.  No one is exempt.  I can say definitively you need this.  Do you want to know what it is?  Drum roll, please!  It’s laughter!  A simple chuckle, a little cackle, a chortle, maybe a giggle or howl, or if you are really lucky a snort or a deep and loud belly laugh.  The moment that little snort escapes your lips endorphins are released into your body, your immune system is strengthened, your body relaxes, and your blood flow increases!  So laugh!

Today I woke up feeling “blue.”  This is a safe way to say I was feeling a little depressed.  I miss my family.  I miss my “normal” life.  I simply am sad.  Thankfully, a small little chuckle changed my day!  Our oldest grandson just turned six years old today.  We were blessed to be able to observe him opening his gifts digitally.  Someone gave him a joke book.  He read the first joke to his family.  He read, “What did the snowman say to the other snowman?”  Answer: You’re cool!  I know it corny, but you should have seen how his face changed into a huge smile when he got it.  What was even better was watching his younger brother chuckle out loud when he got it which then, in turn, made Brenda and me laugh out loud.  It changed my day!

Today I was hoping you would share a funny story from your journey in raising kids, both typical or involved, or maybe a joke with the rest of us.  I could use some more endorphins, and I am sure you could as well.  I want to close with a funny story about our son David.

As most of you know, David was blind.  One day we were visiting my brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Annie, and David had to use the bathroom.  Their bathroom door was a sliding curtain.  As David slid the curtain back, Annie who was sitting on the porcelain throne yells, “It’s occupied!”  David was flustered, Annie was embarrassed, and there was a lot of commotion as they both tried to close the curtain.  As David started to walk away he turned back, reopened the curtain, and said, “You know there are some advantages of being blind!”  He closed the curtain and walked away with a sly little smile.

Do you have a story?  A joke?  Be brave and share it with us.