Laughter…The Best Medicine
In case some of you are worried that I have fallen over the edge of the pit of despair, I decided that it might be fun to share a post on laughter! In spite of the horrendous events of the past few years there have been many many opportunities to laugh. Life is heavy enough and laughter really does lighten the spirit.
Shortly after my knee replacement, I decided that I needed to move around and pitch in with housework. Really bad idea. At this point, I had absolutely no idea how long this whole recovery business was going to take and for the record, I am barely one third of the way there after almost 4 long, arduous months. Anyhow, on this particular morning, I wanted to sweep the floor. Easy task for most bipeds but try doing it with a walker and a body that resembles a lumbering rhinoceros, and the result was my daughter yelling at me as I shuffled and swept and tried valiantly to manoeuver my walker, myself, the broom and the dustpan around the kitchen. I didn’t hear her creeping up on me and she literally started laughing, snorting and yelling simultaneously. She can be quite graphic. I responded with a pitiful, “ I thought I would help” and she replied, “Oh did you?” Needless to say I must have looked ridiculous because we were both in fits of laughter within seconds. I like to test my limits but this was rather stupid if I do say so myself.
Not learning my lesson from this early adventure in being partially crippled, I later “rage cleaned” the pantry in an attempt to bring order to the chaos residing there. Boxes flying through the air and several choice words later, I collapsed in pain in my recliner with my daughter spouting long questions about “what did I think I was doing?” and “Wow mum, that was impressive” (What she meant was, dumb. That was really dumb.)
Then there was the episode with the shimmying of the furniture. We’ve had to make a few adjustments over the past months and when I want to change something, I call upon the power of the shimmy. I believe all furniture is best moved this way and again you have to picture my crippled frame trying to direct my daughter into gaps not designed to let’s say, gaps not quite adequate to shimmy into, to then shimmy a piece of furniture. I can honestly say, hand on heart we have laughed and laughed together every single day that she has been living with us.
I did not know that she would be my medicine and my bright spot on the really hard days. We both have a rapier wit and it’s that humour that has carried me this far.
I am certain she could entertain you with more stories of her ridiculous mother attempting the insane, but for now remember that whatever situation you find yourself in, find someone who makes you laugh. You won’t regret it. I am so grateful to have her here and grateful that she has been my reminder that this too will pass.