What a laugh!

At one point on Saturday night I could almost see and hear my Dad in absolute hysterics, his infectious laughter came to my mind so strongly it was as if he was right there. I could hear his tremendously quick-witted puns playing out in my head, even though I struggled to formulate mine to share.

This family of friends are people that we have always enjoyed laughing with and have shared friendship through years of ups and downs belonging to each one of us. They knew my dad as the pun king. There have been one or two show-stoppers from dad that Tim Vine and Milton Jones (our faves) would struggle to top!

At one point we were discussing death. Mum was being real about her feelings but the atmosphere was light, hopeful and immediately we were laughing at last requests. Steve wants a hearse on a bicycle, everyone cycling behind and the chuckle brothers with the coffin...'to me, to you'.  When talking about the fastor pastor with a hearse on his motorcycle sidecar we got: 'eat my dust to dust'

'To Russ', we said spontaneously and naturally when thinking of just how many times over the last 3 years we have said: 'Russ would have made a pun out of that' or 'there's a Russ-joke '

George Bernard Shaw said: "Life does not cease to be funny when someone dies any more than it ceases to be serious when someone laughs."

It is important and liberating to be able to laugh, even when life deals you tough circumstances. Many would think it insensitive or bizarre to laugh through a time of tears but for me it has been a key part of my grief over the last few years. It's incredibly freeing to cry and smile together, inspired by a good memory, a funny experience or a whopper of a well-delivered line.

Thinking back, I know this laughter is nothing new. Even in those horrendous moments when facing Dad's decline alongside mum's illness, the comedy was not far away. Dad always called mum Mrs Malaprop as she is indeed awesome at giving us a giggle when she gets the latest words mixed up. But even among the strongest sadness and pain I remember joking about buy-one-get-one-free funerals and double wheelchairs.

Anyone who has been through grief, severe disappointment or hardship will know that humour can rear its head during the strangest of times. Some would say that it is nature's way of giving us a perspective on a situation and allowing us to rise above it.

I believe that God has an awesome sense of humour, inspires ours and loves laughter. Humour gives balance when life throws us a curve ball. Don’t ever feel guilty for laughing or smiling even if you or loved ones are going through a tough time – God knows your motives.

While in any kind of bereavement or disappointment it may take a bit of time to get back to the belly laughs,  you can still get lost in something funny or smile and chuckle at a memory, joke or situation.  Those moments provide respite and help us lift our perspective to see that life goes on and there is still good in it, regardless.


While the natural reaction might be tears and sadness, and that is important to express, I feel that allowing yourself opportunities to be thankful, laugh, or embrace a spontaneously moment of laughter, helps you heal too. 



Job 8:21

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.