Laughter is good for the soul. Science tells us laughter increases endorphins and releases serotonin –kinda like a natural high. Many people have told me they love my laugh. A teacher or two have told me they don’t. What I have to say about that is, laughter and smile are two of my gifts. Don’t let the naysayers pull you down.
When I was in the hospital last year, my daughter was spending the night with me. Picture a pitch-black hospital room with just the two of us. It was quiet, until I broke out singing the theme song from The Beverly Hillbillies. You know the words:
“Come and listen to my story about a man named Jed
A poor mountaineer, barely kept his family fed,
And then one day he was shootin at some food,
And up through the ground come a bubblin crude.
Oil that is, black gold, Texas tea.
Well the first thing you know ol Jed’s a millionaire,
The kinfolk said “Jed move away from there”
Said “Californy is the place you ought to be”
So they loaded up the truck and they moved to Beverly
Hills, that is. Swimmin pools, movie stars.”
My daughter was laughing so hard, she pulled out her iPhone and recorded my singing. On the recording, I can hear her laughing in the background, but can’t see a thing. We still laugh about that and sing parts of the song together.
A good laugh – one where I end up crying because I’ve laughed so hard – is the best. Those are the days and times I enjoy remembering. Milton Berle said, “Laughter is an instant vacation”. Who doesn’t want a vacay?
Which brings me back to What Momma Said. She said, “They broke the mold when they made you”. Sure did, Momma.
