Humor (cont.)

Hindsight: Sometimes it takes time to reflect on an event to realize how funny it is!

In the early 90s, there were things that happened that I was gobsmacked and stunned. I was so surprised that I didn't even realize how hilarious these events were until later, much later.

Here are a couple:

A month after the family meeting, my sister walked into my office with an expression of sincere thought. She said, "You know, you really hurt dad when you told him to never touch you again."

At the time, I was stunned. I was speechless. After I regained my composure, I looked at her and said something like, "Think Melinda, you have a 14 year old daughter, is there anything in the world she could say to you that you would hate her forever?"

In my response to her, I even added the f-word, as in, "If she told you to F-off and die, would you hate her forever?"

Silence, followed by a resounding, "No, there is nothing she could say that I would hold onto and hate her forever."

Now, years later, when I think of that event, I can't help but laugh. A couple of months ago, I went to lunch with two dear friends from high school. During their teenage years, both of these wonderful women experienced life altering trauma. One turned to alcohol and drugs, the other didn't deal with it until her children were raised. The last few years, they both have had extensive professional mental health treatment, and are both doing quite well now.

During our lunch, I told them the story of Melinda walking into my office after the family meeting and saying that I hurt my father when I told him not to touch me anymore.

Our table shook with laughter. One snorted water out her nose. Retelling the story of my sister, thoughtfully and profoundly announcing the observation that I hurt my father when I told him not to touch me ever again-- was so absurd it was hysterical.

After I left my parents’ business, I worked for a competitor across town. In Paperdolls & Cowboy Boots, my journal entries depict these events in detail. Spoiler alert: one time I came back from an appointment. It seemed the entire office was abuzz because the assistant for one prominent managers of that bank spent the afternoon photocopying large sections of Paperdolls.

I was shocked and agitated. I called Carol. She laughed and said, "Tell [Greg Schmeid]¹ that we'll sue him for copyright infringement."

I burst out laughing. All my nervousness and anxiety evaporated with her obvious hilarious observation!

Please know, right now, people around you might be doing ridiculous things that one day will simply make you laugh. Take your time. Don't laugh or belittle others, but one day you might able to laugh. Until then, continue taking care of yourself. Sing, breathe, laugh, and look for the beauty in everyday things. Usually when you look you'll find it.

Women Laughing doing the Charleston in the 1920s. Laughter is timeless. Photo snippets taken from a film real courtesy of the M. Hardy Family.

1. My Co-Author knew this high level manager quite well and referred to him by his name.