If you wish to glimpse inside a human soul and get to know the man, don’t bother analyzing his ways of being silent, of talking, of weeping, or seeing how much he is moved by noble ideas; you’ll get better results if you just watch him laugh. If he laughs well, he’s a good man…All I claim to know is that laughter is the most reliable gauge of human nature. — Feodor Dostoyevsky

Why am I having trouble with the humour
topic this month?
Perhaps it is the heaviness you
carry.
Yes, that could be. I'm not sure what
it is and why I'm carrying it?
Let's figure it out. Perhaps you
should let me carry it, I do have big shoulders.
First and foremost, I feel the
heaviness because the furlough period of my daughter and her family
is near the end and I feel I've not had enough time with them. When
is there enough time? (But this truly was all bonus time, as
they were on compassionate leave, my son-in-law's mother was dying,
the original focus of their summer was to spend time with her.) Things
progressed more quickly and they came out earlier in order to be with
her on the palliative ward for ten days before her passing. There
were many tears ... over the years, she had also become a good friend
of mine, and a great prayer warrior for my daughter's family. The
heaviness of a passing lingers, and their focus shifted to the dad
left. Sadly it's taken until the middle of August to have a genuine
connection with my grand daughter.
But be thankful you had that
connection.
My husband has also been having a heavy
time-August is the anniversary of his first wife's death, and the
recall of his summer journey of 4 years ago has permeated our summer
space.
But that too has lifted, and you my
dear daughter have been a blessing in his life.
Thanks ... So what have I got to smile
about? ... ok, that came out accidentally on the paper ... it was a
thought that started to form a few times ... and I usually chastised
myself before it fully formed. And now, here it makes itself known in print.
I'm gonna let that one pass—I'm
fairly certain you don't want to ask that.
You're right God, I do not want to ask
that ungrateful sounding question. I do need a bit of a shake of my
head. Listen girl, (I say to myself) ... You're always saying that
there is much beauty in this world, and think about it, laughter
stems from appreciating the beauty of God. He has a great sense of
humour.
God is at the centre of a well-sprung
laugh, He is at the heart of Merry, the centre of Joy ... the true
reason behind a good belly-laugh.
And besides that ... I know that I
laugh more deeply with those that I have wept with.
End of conversation ...
And so I put on my rose coloured
glasses to take another look back over the summer to recount the many
times humour and laughter were infused. This incident came to mind to
share here.
Maya and myself

Canmore Folk Festival Fun
Started off with a bang! Love it! Interestingly, this month's prompt was difficult for quite a few people, it seems. We all know that laughter is the best medicine but it seemed to be a topic that many of our writers found challenging... perhaps because the old enemy knows how powerful it is...
ReplyDeleteI also think it is because many people who write, have a story to tell ... and often it is because they start writing out their struggles. I've gone to quite a few folk festivals, and many of the musicians write sad or deep songs. This year we had a few comedians among the performers-it was delightful!
DeleteIt sounds like we all needed an infusion of humour this summer, Jocelyn and all the rest of you! I know I did and it sounds like I wasn't alone on that. Since I've spent so many years of my life in school--teachers know we're supposed to do things over and over until we get it right--September seems like the beginning of a New Year. The year 2018-2019 is coming into view.
ReplyDeleteSorry to steal your thunder, Jocelyn, but I suggest we all start this year with a bang as far as our writing, our faith and our lives go. I am no reader of God's mind, but I suspect God would smile and nod in agreement. Thanks for sharing your Big Bang Story with us, Jocelyn!
I agree with you Sharon-September is another kind of beginning ... and yes, what a lovely suggestion to start with a Bang-and I think God smiles when we do. The fall conference is part of that kick-off for me.
ReplyDelete