Sometimes You Just Gotta Laugh!
SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOTTA LAUGH !
I'm prone to "inappropriate" laughter. The tiniest things set me off, send me into full throttle, convulsing hysterics.
This is a trait that served me well while caring for my mother.
~Her walking around her apartment in underwear and a blouse announcing, "I'm ready to go, but I feel like I'm missing something..."
HILARIOUS.
~Her not recognizing me, thinking I'm a burglar, going to the front door in her pajamas yelling, "I'm going to get my father !" (MY father)
HYSTERICAL.
~Me driving her somewhere and her yelling out the window to a neighbor, "Help ! I'm being kidnapped !"
THOUGHT I WOULD DIE LAUGHING.
But one of my favorite laughs happened in a Panera bathroom.
My parents were visiting and we stopped by a Panera for some lunch. It was early in her decline and she could still speak, see, and walk VERY SLOWLY with assistance. As we sat talking over coffee, my mother announced, "I have to make tinkles."
I looked at my dad, said, "I'll take her."
When we finally got to the bathroom, she said she could go into the stall by herself. I said ok, but asked that she leave the door unlocked.
I stood outside the stall holding our purses.
I heard her pee, then ~~~
A LONG silence.
"Mom ? Are you ok ? Do you need help ?"
More silence. Then ~
"Yeah. I'm stuck."
OY !
"Ok. I'll come in."
I opened the door, wedged myself and the purses inside. Slinging the bags behind me, I leaned over, grabbed under her arms, and gave her the o' heave ho !
That's when we tipped over.
Like Jack and Jill - or better - Abbott and Costello ! - we tumbled around in that stall laughing like a couple of hyenas ! Laughing so hard I was crying, I'm surprised I didn't "make tinkles" in MY pants !!!
Obviously, we eventually righted ourselves. I got her pants on, squeezed us out of the stall. Still giggling as I washed and dried her hands, she looked into my eyes and like a little child, she tenderly said, "I love you !"
I smiled, patted her hand.
"Yeah, mom. I love you, too."
Arm and arm we slowly made our way back to our table. Other patrons stared at us, their eyes oozing pity.
We were still smiling.
Those people had no idea how much fun they missed.
The Lesson ~ Yes: always love as much as you can from where you are, AND ~ WHEN IN DOUBT, PLAY !
Beaming all many Abbott & Costello moments ~~~