Laughter

The past few days, Ezekiel has started to laugh... sort of.  When he gets the attention he wants, he gets very excited and lights up with a huge smile that literally bursts into a laugh. But it's not what I would categorize as laughter, per say. That's it. Just one single laugh. Knowing he is so happy/excited that he cannot contain himself to the point that he involuntarily laughs, makes my heart happy. Yes, to the point that I involuntarily burst into soft laughter of my own. Which had me noticing...

Makoa's laugh. A hearty 20 month old laugh. In fact, I dare say he enjoys laughing and laughs just for the sake of laughing! He's a happy child who enjoys being silly and even more so enjoys when others around him are silly! He is quick to respond to a silly sound or funny face expression with laughter. I love the sound of his laugh... which had me noticing...

Cameron's laughter. My sweet, dedicated husband is easily stressed out. He is under constant pressure by himself and people around him to be better, more successful, more responsible, more kind, more tolerant, more... well... more and more and more... of everything! So to hear his laughter, knowing he is care free, if only for those precious moments, makes my whole being light! I cannot help but smile! I have tender memories of Cameron laughing at a joke, something on SNL, something silly he or I did, something Makoa attempted... until his eyes filled with tears because the thought of that "something" causes him to laugh all over again... and again! Ever hear the phrase that laughing is contagious? Well, that's Cameron's laugh. You cannot be in the same room as him when something makes him smile, then laugh - and NOT laugh right a long with him... even if you have NO CLUE what he's laughing about! That is the sweet, care-free, easy going man I fell in love with!

As much as we laugh... we do not laugh enough! Life boggs us down and stresses us out and layer on layer of "stuff" can make it hard to see the light, humorous side of life! Each day is flowing with thoughts that make us smile... how often do we let that smile transform into a laugh (if even just a chuckle)?

They say laughter helps us live longer... maybe so. But it can't hurt to try!