Builder Boy loves when we laugh at something he does or says. He is a funny kid and this often happens. But, like I'm sure many kids, he doesn't know when it's just not funny anymore. He'll say or do whatever makes us laugh over and over and over again. He used to get very angry when we weren't laughing anymore, too. He's starting to understand that what was funny at first, after 100 or so times, it's just not that funny to others.
He has never been a child to whom laughing came easily. He did the whole belly laugh when he was a baby, but as he grew up, it took a lot to make him really laugh. So, when he gets started, he likes to keep going. The other night in the car, the three of us we were goofing around and laughing about something and, as laughter does, our knee-slapping laughter turned to chuckles to giggles to merely smiles on our faces. It got peacefully and companionably quiet in the car when we heard Builder Boy from the back say, "Say something funny, my laugher's running out." That started the laughter all over again.
But later, after we had put him to bed, his simple and uncomplicated comment hit me. For over a year now, my laugher's has run out. It's been tough and a constant barrage of complications. My heart has ached and my shoulder have been weighed heavy with burden. And I have, in my own way, begged out of desperation for someone to "say something funny" to help bring that laughter back. But I've learned in the past year that no one but yourself can bring that laughter back. And while I'm still not laughing, I'm finding a chuckle now and then. I feel as if the clouds have parted a bit and the sun is sneaking through here and there. And while life is still throwing complications our way (my father-in-law is currently in the hospital with some crazy infection), I feel as if I might be moving forward now. It's a good feeling and one that I have needed for quite some time.
So, if you have something funny to say, I know for a fact that someone somewhere has their laughter running out...
He sounds too cute!
I'm glad the clouds are parting a bit. I hope it's a trend that continues!
I hope your father-in-law gets better soon!
Posted by: Heidi | November 07, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Love the Builder Boy quote, and I can relate to your interpretation of it as well. I hope that you'll be exercising those laugh muscles more and more!
One of my friends posted this on Facebook a while back and I got a kick out of it. Sure, it can be considered dark humor, but hey, it's humor! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCoaBN6iOu0
Posted by: Stacey | November 08, 2009 at 11:48 PM
I'm glad to hear this. It sounds like you need a visit to your friend across the state to part the rest of those clouds!
Posted by: Black Belt Mama | November 15, 2009 at 09:53 PM