Dearest Laughter, 

I am so in love with the contagiousness, the shoulder shakes mixed with giggles galore.

The outbursts of happiness. The side pains and wet pants. The rare occasion of “I can not breathe anymore!”

I love to hear familiar voices from the other end of the house with each individual’s sound erupting in an explosion of joyful entertainment. During a phone conversation, the happy reverberation that will stop all talk so I can momentarily enjoy it. 

I love you, Laughter. I love to hear you in any form you wish to present yourself. 

Especially from those closest to me. 

I will stop what I am doing anytime I hear someone laugh or giggle in my vicinity. You instantly awaken and move my heart. I want to sneak a peek around the corner and observe what is making it happen. I want to watch the actions and reactions of the person or persons involved. I just stand in the corner or half of the doorway. Tears well up in my eyes because I am overfilled with joy. I want to be a part of it, but I do not want to mess with whatever you are teaching.

In the grandchildren, it starts with the eyes. The eyes begin to sparkle, then a small smile grows and then out comes the most beautiful sound! The full on laugh! And once it starts, they want to keep it going. Each one wants me to continue making that silly voice, wiggling fingers toward their belly, or pretending to drop a ball. They begin to mimic the action to try to make me laugh, too. You are so contagious! 

The smallest things can start the giggle fire. Like a cat swishing its tail across the feet of the baby to make her laugh. The cat nonchalantly half looks toward the baby as the laughter fades, then swishes again! The cycle continues joyfully while I watch from my stove. You can present yourself instantly at family movie night where the whole room erupts in an outburst at the comedy scene on the screen. 

Small sound or large echoing, private chuckle or public outburst, at family reunion during picture slide time or intimate coffee and table time, you are always invaluable and available.

We must not forget game nights! Some games bring out the most competitive spirits in the room. But all bring plenty of laughter, teasing, fun, and memories. A family that laughs together is way more apt to carry you throughout their lives. A parent constantly worries and hopes they have instilled something for a legacy. I suppose making sure the kids can laugh with and at each other, equally, is a successful legacy trait. Lord knows they have laughed at me plenty of times. 

I remember one time, I was wearing my new apron I got for my birthday. When you are wearing something, you don’t really “see” it. It happened to be a replica of my favorite hero. This hero’s outfit for many years was like a one piece bathing suit. The image consumed the whole apron. As I exited the kitchen to sit down to eat, I caught a glimpse of myself in a glass reflection, I gasped, jumped back and folded my arms across my body in an attempt to cover myself. The roar of laughter from the kids and myself just killed any serious conversation for the next week I think. 

Sometimes, you can creep up on us in the most inopportune time or even in grief. We should never feel guilty about you always being with us. I read somewhere that laughter was a good medicine to take. Maybe that is why you show your lining at these strange times. Maybe it is your way of conveying “Control what we can and enjoy the rest.” Or maybe you are reminding us that deep down we need Laughter for balance in life. 

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but you, Laughter, reside inside all of us. You are courageous, contagious, infectious, and present. Whether we believe we need you or not. You give strangers common ground, bring families closer, help heal wounds, and help us see the lighter side of life. Life and its struggles and responsibilities can drag us down. You, in your simplicity, lift us up. Thank you. 

Forever Yours,

Becky Reynolds