I read today’s word earlier today, and I knew exactly what photos I wanted to post! One of my favorite digital scrapbook pages of Punky. I can look at this and just hear his laughter. (I know you can see his name here on my scrapbook page, but let’s face it, most people reading this clicked over from Facebook, and you know my kids’ names.)

Seeing this page made me just miss scrapbooking. Since I moved to digital back in 2014 or so, you’d think I could just scrap a page here and there and get things done. But, I miss our weekend scrapbooking retreats that we did twice a year. It forced me to stay “kind-of-up-to-date.” Instead of now when I feel completely overwhelmed as I haven’t scrapped a few pages since Spring 2017 when I did these pages:

I miss the creative outlet of my digital scrapbooking. It did help me document the moments and capture some pretty cool messages to my kids over the years. Now, just to organize them and get them printed… But, once again, I digress. (I seem to do that a lot each night).

I love that picture of Punky, as that depicts his all out gut-busting laugh that he belts out when he’s really laughing and can’t stop.

I have captured a few pages of Kirby’s laugh as well. This one is my favorite as his eyes seem to dance right off the page.

Laughter is something we cherish in our family. On Sunday evenings, our family gathers in the living room and we watch “America’s Funniest Videos” together and we are sure to laugh out loud several times during the course of the hour. It’s so awesome to hear our kids laugh. I even love listening to Hubby’s laugh.

Tangent again: but did you know on our first date, we saw the movie Mouse Hunt. We were just about alone in the theater, but at some point in the movie, Hubby busted a gut laughing and couldn’t stop. I wanted to crawl into my movie seat and disappear, but as it turns out, listening to his laugh is one of my favorite things about him! Even better is when we watch or hear something on TV or on a podcast and laugh together. Best is when we laugh as a family! 🙂 The sound of laughter from my boys (all 3 of them) is a sound I cherish.

I believe God has a sense of humor. He knows the natural relaxant and the “overall zen of a good laugh” can provide people. When we laugh, we relax. When we relax, we are able to take in the small moments around us. We are able to slow down the moments. We are able to enjoy the moments.

Stress. The Crazy Busyness of our world today. Worries. Doubts. All seem to melt away when we can laugh out loud.

I think the ability to laugh at ourselves is also important to God. When we can laugh, we again relax and have a stronger chance of not talking the self-deprecating talk. We can find the humor, dust ourselves off, and move on,

Laughter has helped in my life as it has always been prevalent over the course of my 45 years. Laughing with my parents, my siblings, my family, with peers, with colleagues, with friends, with my spouse, with my children, with my students, etc….all that laughter helps us healthily accept that we are human and we make mistakes. God forgives us for our mistakes. And with that we are renewed, refreshed, and ready to move forward.

Laughter is what keeps us sane in our world. Laughter is what helps keep us whole. Laughter brings us together. Laughter is God’s love. It springs us forward into a safe spot so that we can continue to move on and move forward. It helps us to grow. It helps us to cope. It helps us to survive.

Tonight’s prayer is: Gracious God, you are attuned to our every need and our every sound. Throughout our lifetime, help us develop hope and trust in the many ways you care for us, whether we are whimpering in pain or roaring in laughter. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

P.S. ANYONE who reads this and has any desire to get together and scrapbook, reach out!!!!!! I miss my scrapping time.