The past year-and-a-half or so has been pretty stressful for my family.
I’m the type of person who likes a plan, but when there’s a lack of one my mind goes into overtime. And overtime in my mind is a super duper twirly mess as my brain is always functioning on high even on a slow day.
When I’m stressed, I sleep less, I eat more, I gain weight and I become a little cranky — and not just once a month like my 10-year-old has so keenly observed.
Then when things around the house start breaking — more stuff I can’t control like the microwave, hot tub cover, vacuum, parts in the dishwasher, laundry sorter, screen doors, flooring issues, etc. — I start regretting previous decisions I did have control over, like a new deck and eye surgery.
Despite all the worries and weight gain, there’s one thing that always cheers me up: laughter. However, I’m not an easy one to get to laugh. I mean, I’m one who does not laugh out loud very often.
But lo and behold, there’s been plenty of laughter lately.
My son, bless his heart, has such a unique sense of humor that just comes out of the blue. At first, I’ll be like what did he just say? Then if Scott’s around, I look at him to see the same confusion on his face and then we both start laughing as we can’t believe that just came out of his mouth. I wish I could give you an example, but it’s so random and off the wall that it’s hard to remember.
I guess one example that comes to mind is one night when it was close to bedtime Scott told him, “Go find your pajamas.” And his response was, “I don’t need to find them. I know where they’re at.” Oh, goodness. That’s a slap-on-the-forehead kind of moment.
Then there’s the double meaning kind of humor that you stumble upon and still laugh about weeks later. (Sorry, mom, but I just can’t contain this story any longer.)
Last time we were home Scott and I sat on the new kitchen stools at my parent’s counter. The next day when we were out shopping at Lowe’s I asked him in a somewhat loud voice, “So, what did you think of my mom’s stools?”
My hand flew up to my mouth as laughter was already spilling out and I exclaimed that did not come out right!
Scott chuckled and said, “They were kind of big.” (More laughter.) “And black.” (Even more laughter.)
The laughter kept on coming as we poked fun over this mix up the rest of the day. And of course when we got back to my parents’ I told mom we were talking about her stools to which she said, “They’re industrial.”
Oh, my stars! I swear she can hear me laughing across the flippin’ state.
If you want more laughter, watch an online video that is sure to make you laugh, find the Chewbacca Mom. You don’t have to be a Star Wars fan to laugh along with her. The four-minute video is sure to make you laugh until your belly hurts or tears pool up in your eyes.
Candace Payne is a Texas Mom who now has the most watched video of all time. Her down-home charm and knee-slapping laughter is infectious and makes me wish she was my neighbor. At the end, she reminds us that it’s the simple joys in life we need to embrace.
I just realized this column comes out right before my mom’s birthday! Oh, I am so gonna get it. But I will say this, having a mom who isn’t afraid to laugh about bodily functions is a mom you want to have in your life. We may butt heads on several topics, but in the end we love each other and can laugh about the silliest things. Happy birthday, mom! And yes, we like your stools.
Lori Sola is a weekly columnist for The Pioneer. She can be reached through the editor.
