In Others’ Words: Sunshine in the House

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, laughter, Quotes 6 Comments

I keep trying to record my GRANDgirls’ laughter. 

Their giggles are infectious in the best kind of way, causing me to smile and laugh with them. I’d like to turn their lilting, expressive laughs into a ringtone for my phone. Can you imagine how that sweet sound would catch other people unaware? It would be fun to watch strangers’ faces light up when my girlies’ laughter sounded out at the most unexpected moment . . . and made them smile and laugh, too.

There is something so warm about laughter. The sound wraps itself around you and squeezes tight, like the most welcome hug.

Laughter is healing. In the same way that the gentle touch of a loved one can comfort you, sharing laughter with a friend or family member can ease our pain, unravel frustration, help us see that life is still good, even in the midst of hardships.

The past few days, I’ve intentionally opened my blinds, opened my doors, and let the sun shine in. In the same way, there are times when circumstances make life seem cold and I go looking — go listening — for laughter. Not foolishness, no — there’s no comfort in that. A relaxing conversation with a friend always seems to include laughter, too, and a well-written book or magazine article can sometimes cause me to laugh out loud. One of my favorite ways to get “sunshine in the house”? A night spent playing board games with my family. The house fairly overflows with laughter.

In Your Words: How do you let the sunshine of laughter into your life?

In Others' Words: Sunshine in the House https://wp.me/p63waO-2Al #quotes #laughter Share on X 'A good laugh is sunshine in the house.' quote by William Makepeace Thackeray https://wp.me/p63waO-2Al #laughter #perspective Share on X

 

Comments 6

  1. Usually children are involved. But my most recent gut-wrenching laugh was a waitress with a friendly smile and a quick quip that made me laugh a long time after leaving the premises. The coffee wasn’t as good as advertized, but she was better. I’ll bet I go back just to see if that magic happens again, and I am someone who loves laughter and manages decent quips myself on occasion. Samuel Johnson wrote of Shakespeare that a pun was the golden apple for which he would turn aside and the Cleopatra for which he lost the world. If healing, restorative, laughter is involved, it may well be worth it.

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      The laughter of children is the best kind of laughter, I believe. I once had a small jar that was labeled “laughter of children” — I loved the whimsical idea of opening the lid and the sound of giggles coming out of the jar. It broke, of course … and I keep looking for a replacement.

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