....or so it says in Ecclesiastes 3:4
This weekend, my sister and I got to
talking about Dad and our experiences in the last month of his life. Dad was gracious and respectful and caring to
all that crossed his path but especially so in the hospital and in hospice – family, visitors,
caregivers and volunteers. We started
sharing a particularly funny story from the hospital with friends at a party.
One of the symptoms of Dad’s illness
was dementia. Dad had always been able
to talk for hours with others suffering from dementia or Alzheimers. We asked him once how he was able to do this
and Dad said that he just joined that person in whatever decade they were
remembering! Such a simple thing to
do! So one day in the hospital, Dad started
talking and we realized that he was running an athletic booster club
meeting. After his opening comments, he
opened the floor to questions or comments.
Dad asked about three times and I kept thinking about Dad telling us
that he just joined in the conversation.
So I finally answered him. “I
have some concerns with the girls volleyball team,” I said. My mom and my sister were also in the room
and they looked at me like I was crazy!
Dad asked me to elaborate so I did and talked about attendance at the
games and that we needed to do something to increase it. Dad looked at Mom and Kathy and said “This
lady has a good point.” and kept on
talking. In the meantime, Kathy and I
started looking for music on our phones because music always calming to Dad. But we were not being successful
and Dad didn’t miss a beat. He announced
to the “meeting” that the music committee was having difficulties so maybe we
should just move on to refreshments.
Kathy and I were rolling on the floor with laughter while trying to
control ourselves – and get our music working!
Once again, we were laughing
uncontrollably at the memory! My parents
always had a sense of humor, they probably had to develop one with six children
to raise. There has never been a shortage of
laughter when we are together as a family and I like to think I am teaching my
own children the value of a good laugh.
I always tell newlyweds that the best piece of advice for a good
marriage is to keep a sense of humor.
And when I see a situation escalating, I use humor to diffuse the
tension whenever I can. And I think it
has been proven that laughter is the best medicine!
I think God supports that too. Although the bible doesn’t talk a lot about
laughter, it does mention joy and happiness!
Check out these verses:
"A happy heart makes the face cheerful." (Proverbs 15:13)
"The cheerful heart has a continual feast." (Proverbs 15:15)
"Everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee." (Isaiah 35:10)
"For I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow." (Jeremiah 31:13)
"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." (Luke 2:10)
"Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." (Luke 6:21)
"Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." (John 16:24)
So I think God is telling us to keep it light and to keep on
laughing! I know I will!
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