Hopefully, you have noticed that one of my goals for this blog is to make it FUN, to make you laugh.
As I think back over my life and all the tender memories, laughter is often there. It's not in the family photos, but it's there.. Sometimes it is the photographer, sometimes the frame. Yes! Laughter is the frame that holds our lives together.
Mary Ellen Edmonds spoke about the importance of laughter at a Women's Conference. She began her talk with this story...
One winter’s morning during a snowstorm, I took my mother to have some blood tests done. It was “white-knuckle” driving on snowy, icy roads. We were headed home and going around a corner very slowly. The car hit black ice, and as if in slow motion, we headed for the curb. THUNK! I quickly asked Mom, “Are you OK?”
“Yes.” We continued cautiously, slowly. Then I said in an oh-so-sarcastic kind of way, “So I suppose you’re going to sue me for whiplash.” Instantly she jumped in, moaning and holding her neck. “Oh . . . ohhhhhh . . . oh, my neck hurts. . . . Oh, I can’t move my head. . . . Oh dear, I have to call . . .” and she tried to say the name of one of the lawyers who advertises on TV. (“One call . . . that’s all!”) It was so spontaneous and so hilarious that we both laughed until we were screaming. We eventually came up for air, but Mom kept the fun going for days, calling me, moaning and whining about her whiplash the minute I’d answer. I’m so grateful for what I have learned from my parents about being cheerful, lighthearted, and—yes—sometimes silly.
The entire talk is wonderful and you can read it or listen to it here:
If Thou Art Merry, Praise the Lord
Enjoy!
Photo Attribution: Petr Kratochvil
I pick LAUGH any time I can! I wind up with CRY way too often, and it never solves anything AND gives me a headache behind my eyes! Laughter is a great healer and I'm so grateful for the balm of MIRTH :) Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI love Mary Ellen Edmonds! She taught Relief Society at the MTC when I was there. You have a great laugh, Leslie. Thanks for the spiritual caffeine boost!
ReplyDeleteMary Ellen Edmonds is great! Thanks for sharing the story and the thought. This blog is a good idea. :)
ReplyDeleteI love Mary Ellen Edmonds. She redefined the way I view the Holy Ghost. In the MTC she told a story about being prompted to help someone in the Post Office, she said that the Spirit said to her "Hey, you wanna have some fun??" and then prompted her to help someone in need. I recognized immediately that the Spirit speaks to us in our voice, the way we would listen, and encourages us to "have fun". Through spontaneous service, or laughter instead of fear. Thanks for the post, and the wonderful blog!
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