My mom and I, Beach Trip, August 2003
Have you ever looked at a picture and really felt it? I love this picture! I can feel what I felt like when it was taken. I can feel my mom’s cool clammy hands on my arm. I can hear her laughter, and see her sparkly eyes in my mind.
I think what makes laughter so magical is that in that moment, however brief it may be, you are transported to another place where worries, sadness, and struggle do not exist. Seriously. Think of what people sound like after they stop laughing, it's like a sigh escapes from their throats involuntarily. Like, "okay, back to reality." My favorite thing to read in the Readers Digest other than the Quotable Quotes is Laughter the Best Medicine. (I know you think that is an old people’s magazine, but I have been reading it since I was a kid - and that must be why I'm so wise...) Laughter really is the best medicine!
I love laughter! I love laughing, I love hearing people laugh, I love watching people laugh, I love making people laugh! Who doesn't? I don't even mind people laughing at me I enjoy laughter so much. I think the majority of my good friends are funny, or funny looking. (Oh my goodness, was that sarcasm? On this blog? Shame on me.) My friends that aren’t funny, must think I am if we are friends, because I like to be around laughter!! (and, yes I think you are funny.)
I love listening to a chorus of laughter. I always loved hearing my mom and her brothers laughing because they all sound the same and it is a very distinct laugh. John and his brothers laughing is fun to witness as well. Even if you don't think what they are laughing at is funny, you'll end up laughing because watching them all throw back their heads in a harmonious chorus of laughter, and seeing all of their squinty eyes is hilarious. I also like to see John laughing with his friend Chris. I can't make John laugh like he does when he is with Chris... should I be worried? I love the feeling like you are going to pee your pants from laughing so hard, or you start to cry - it's like you have reached the highest level of laughter and that is your reward! The best reward is listening to my children laugh - it fills my soul with an undescribable kind of joy. Giggles, chuckles, belly laughs - I will take any of it.
Sometimes, I wish I could bottle people's laughter. Especially my Grandma's. It's almost like you want to be silent just so you can really take her laughter in. It is fun to see her when she is "tickled." I like to see my dad laugh hard too, and I feel like I have really scored if I can make my Uncle David laugh, because he doesn’t always think I’m funny. Shocking, I know.
My Grandma and Trevan, December 2002
If I am going to hang out with friends, I would rather sit around and talk (laugh) than to go to or watch a movie. Also, I do appreciate a good drama, or a serious movie every now and then, but I am surrounded by enough serious things in life, and I want to laugh! So, bring on the funny movies, and chick flicks that won't win any awards. That is why I look forward to Thursdays every week, not just because of my one and half hour spin class, but because I get to watch The Office! (What???? You don’t think The Office is funny? Then you need to check yourself into Laughing Rehab... it’s that serious.) I love being transported for that half an hour to a place of laughter! (Why is that show not one hour long???)
So, today I am going laugh a little more. When I want to get frustrated with my kids, I am going to try to find something to laugh about. (this may be hard while listening to Mallary scream) If I feel like crying, I'll pretend to laugh. If I start to whine or complain, I'll try to think about laughing.
TODAY'S GOAL: Make someone laugh, even if that someone is me (or you).
Please note: Bad picture quality means my scanner is still broken.
4 comments:
Loooooove this! And now I don't feel so guilty because all we ever do is sit around and laugh when we're together (and shop, but who's being specific?).
I love your laugh and you are an expert at making people laugh. And we both know how I feel about John's laughing (and eyes).
(P.S. I remember when Trevan was tiny like in that picture -- awwwwww!)
Remember the time we brought "every flavor beans" and mixed them with regular jelly bellies and dared each other to eat them? I haven't laughed that hard in so long.
And remember when we sat in your dark kitchen watching Flight of the Conchords videos on Chris' laptop until 2 a.m.?
Awwwww! I feel like I need some in-person Hamilton laughing in my life! Soon!
Holly, I'm sitting her crying as I read your sweet memories. But as I read your description of your mom, I couldn't help but think that you are so much more like her than you think. All the wonderful things about her that wish you had more of are the very things I have admired in you since I have known you. You truly are a ray of sunshine, and I feel blessed to know you and to experience that radiance when I am with you!
-Tiffaney
becky - yes we do need some in person wickstrom/hamilton laughing time!
tiffaney - you're so sweet, thank you.
Holly, what a nice post. It's so refreshing to have a good laugh and it's a great outlook to have (when we're listening to kids scream, and all...).
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