lol

I have a friend who Laughs Out Loud all the time. Now she is serious about running; she’s running a marathon in October. She’s serious about talking to God, living the life he has for her. But I can always count on her to laugh at my jokes, to laugh in general at just about everything which is highly contagious.

I tend to dance when I cook. There’s the “cookin’ eggs” dance, a little shake of the cabina (bum), which happens when I get really excited about food or when I cookin’ eggs. Then there’s a dance for everything else which is sort of a combo high-knee, jazzersize, salsa mix which I practiced today…twice. And the kids laughed. Laughed Out Loud. Now we have a simple rule at Mirembe House that says meals are to be eaten without talking. This is not to be monastic, cruel, or boring, but instead it’s for discipline and teaching purposes as this is the way their school in Uganda works. But laughing…not a sub-rule. And therefore, little giggles break the silence and make me turn my head. They got to laugh at the table today…twice.

Laugh out loud. Something I do even when I’m “talking” to my computer. Or listening to NPR. Or remembering a silly conversation from the day before. And yet the acronym doesn’t embody the fullness of my emotions most of the time. To some people I have to type out “I’m rolling on the ground.” I need them to know that I can’t breathe and must collect myself before responding to their humor. Also, as I admit that I hope I’m encouraging them to keep it up and thanking them for loving me so much to share these stories. Laughter is a gift that comes at the perfect time. I need to relax, to get over disappointment, or just to know someone knows me well enough to get me in stitches.

I watched Bucket List tonight. One of the list items was “laugh until I cry.” I hope that can be fulfilled on a daily bucket list. That’s a lot of laughter, lot of tears. I’ll take them together. The good and bad and still come out rejuvenated with joy.