It may sound weird, but I love to walk in Old Mission Cemetery during the summertime. It’s so quiet there. One day on my walk I started thinking about Thornton Wilder’s play “Our Town,” which I had directed many times. It is a simple drama about life in a small town and about Emily Webb, who died in childbirth. In the last act Emily is able to watch her earlier life in Grover’s Corner from the grave. During the final scene Emily cries out, “Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? – every, every minute?”
As I age, I have finally realized there were so many hilarious minutes in my life that I didn’t appreciate — but I should have.
It was around 10:00 at night after a long rehearsal for the Jr-Sr Class Play. I waited for all the kids to leave the student parking lot before I threw ungraded papers and ripped costumes into the back seat of my van. I let out a bone-weary sigh and climbed into the driver’s seat for the short ride home. I was stressing about all I had to do before going to bed that night when I started smelling something really rank. I put down my window halfway and thought, “Oh, Jan –I hope that’s not you!”
The sickening smell kept getting worse as I pulled into my driveway. When I put up the garage door, I started hearing muffled laughter coming from the back of my van. As soon as I turned off the ignition, the hatch flew open; and two ornery teenage boys jumped out. They raced down the driveway giving each other high fives and shouting, “See you tomorrow, Mrs. Stoneburner,” as they jumped into a waiting car.
I stood there in disbelief surrounded by the aroma of flatulence. I should have collapsed in laughter that night, but I didn’t. I stomped into the house like a martyr.
Like Emily in “Our Town,” I wish I had realized earlier how funny life was – while I was living it – every, every minute. But, thank heavens, it’s not too late…
Since data is mounting that laughter can do a lot for our health, the prestigious Mayo Clinic suggests trying to improve your sense of humor by finding places to laugh. Go to the store and read funny greeting cards. Look for silly videos on You Tube. Or just listen to the people around you -- like the grandma in the restaurant -- who after studying a sign that said “Karaoke Tonight” asked, "What kind of fish is that?" Ha!
“With age comes wisdom, huh? Apparently, ‘wisdom’ weighs about 40 pounds.” ~ Maxine
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WHAT’S THE LAST THING THAT MADE YOU REALLY, REALLY LAUGH?
Having fun with retired teacher-friends at our annual “Hell No We Won’t Go Party”
Hello Jan, I thought I was the only person who likes to walk through the graves, every time I go to Buenos Aires I stay near the Recoleta Cemetery and I love visiting it, I find so much history and art there.
Because of my work, as you can imagine, I always have moments of joy with the children, they make me bring out the child that lives in me and I really enjoy what I do. Hugs
I agree wisdom does come with age. Laughter is good medicine at something or yourself Life is to short not enjoy this ride we are on.