Laughter Heals

I visit my 85 year old. He’s having lunch with three other men. I grab a chair and sit next to him and a sweet gentleman name Walter.My client asks, “Why are you here to see me? I know you’ve told me but I can’t remember!”I make something up about being part of a welcoming committee making sure they are well taken care of at the facility. (This way he doesn’t start to question why he needs a guardian).My client: “Does a woman like you have a husband?”Walter breaks his silence, “uh oh!”I ask, “A woman like me?”My client: “A woman galavanting to see elderly men. What kind of man lets his wife do this?” He is smiling. I am laughing.“My husband is at home with our kid....”He interrupts and says, “If you were my wife I wouldn’t let you out of my sight!”Walter says, “And that’s why she’s not with you!”I laugh loudly. So loud that the place goes quiet. All those falling asleep over their plates are woken up. The table starts to rattle with laughter.Laughter fills the crevices. My client starts to truly show me his sense of humor. I tell him that he’s my favorite. He smiles and says, “I bet you tell everyone that!”Walter looks at me and says, “I hope one day I can become one of your favorites.” He doesn’t know it but today he has been bumped up to the top of the list. And we just met.Folks...go make laughter. Go share your joy. It’s freaking contagious. I had me a ball sitting at that table with four lovely elderly men who don’t speak to each other. They gifted me with generosity and I amped up their reason for needing a nap when I left. They used all their reserved energy to laugh. Pure bliss!