The other day Dan recruited his friends Tim and Andy Patt to help maneuver a bulky, heavy couch into the den. With three men shouting directions and grunting, the job was soon done. Afterwards Dan said, “Lord! That felt a lot like a job,” to which Tim replied, “Whenever I hear the word job, I try to be aware of my surroundings at all times!”
I early voted, checked my choices, filled in another square, and instantly thought I’d done something wrong. Back at the poll workers table, the volunteers called over the Election Official who approached saying, “Not to worry, I’m harmless.” I replied, “Well, I’m disappointed!” As he led me the 10 feet to the machine into which one feeds their ballot, I asked, “Are you leading me because you think I’ll get lost?”
Dan and Mr. Scarf Puppet telling everyone what to order for breakfast! The Bacon Infused something or other alcoholic drink seemed like a bad idea!
My father used to call me “the howler of the desert” because I cried so loud. After our grandson learned to blow raspberries and soon after started teething, his parents said he was blowing sad berries. When one of my cousins becomes involved in a job turned sour, she says, “Life is good if you don’t weaken.”
Gentle humor – the grease that makes life easier. The jokes we pass around, the throw-away funny words, humor gives us a chance to breathe, to take a moment, laugh, and go back to life. We return with a better spirit, a better inclination towards our fellow beings. Humor eases a difficult or embarrassing situation.
The old Yiddish adage “Man plans, God laughs,” Mary Pettibone Poole’s words, “He who laughs, lasts” and Charlie Chaplin’s famous quote, “A day without laughter is a day wasted,” are all helpful reminders.
The truth of the matter is we’re all in this together. Humor softens us, helps us through something annoying or hard. Feeling a little squeaky? Try greasing the wheels.
Cindy Arp retired from Knox County Schools as a teacher and librarian. She and husband Dan live in Heiskell. And she goes hiking once a week – even in a forest fire.