Zenitude #2: Our Treasure Trove Of Laughter

As "the momma" gets wiser and more beautiful inside and out (we won't say older), we have started to at least make jokes about the rough times that may be ahead of us. Times that will require humor and belly-aching laughter to get through the shitty tears. What I'm gently trying to write is this...we've misplaced my aunt in a mall before (aka "where did we put Aunt Lois???"). But the beauty is in the treasure trove of laughter we have each and every time we remember that day. Chances are, at some point, the sister and I are going to misplace the momma -- somewhere. She won't get lost -- she'll just think we've been gone a really long time. We will misplace her. And for years to come, we will find the Zen of laughter in the memory.

However, it could happen the other way around. They could just as easily misplace me. You see, in life, we often assume that things will happen in a "circle of life" Mufasa Lion King sort of way. And it doesn't. That's crap and for fairy tales and princess dolls (and that's a whole other writing). Something could happen to me, and the momma and the sister would be the ones trying to find humor and laughter as they find their way.

When something bad happens to someone we love, it throws our Zen all out of whack. We feel life spinning out of control and turned upside down. Fear replaces all peace we had when life was skipping along so well. But somehow, a glimmer of humor surfaces and another and another. And it's that momentary laughter between souls that strengthens us. A bit of Zen-itude reaches our spirit.

My husband had a stroke 8 weeks ago. Full blown stroke full of unknowns. Now, 8 weeks later, you can hardly tell it happened -- but it was scary, scary shit. Shook me to my core -- his, too (but right now, this is about me). As I look back, I love the treasure trove of laughter that we created because they are now jewels in my memory that I can remember and admire as another facet of our life.

The first day we were home after being released from the hospital, he came up from behind me in the kitchen to wrap his strong left arm and half strength right arm around me. I turned around to embrace him and he toppled over. We laughed as I said "see I can still knock you off your feet." And, he's the one who will now refer to himself as "Stroke Boy." THAT'S Zen-itude.

So I leave you with one Zenitude today:

In the bad times, fill our spirit with a treasure trove of laughter.

Happy Zenning. Stay in touch.