Tuesday, April 6, 2010
4:46 PM
My family likes to laugh. We are even known for teasing those we love and giving them nicknames. My dad was the best at giving nicknames and making us laugh regardless of the situation. My brother is in his 40’s and is still known by his nickname, Spidor (he had long skinny legs and could climb anything) instead of Robert. My family for the most part still follows the kid rule, if we like you we tease you. Remember the little boy that punched the girls he liked…If we don’t like you, we don’t tease you. Simple and silly, but often true.
Even through my dad’s cancer treatments and health challenges he made us laugh. At one point, his cancer caused him to have a bump on his head. He joked about it and laughed. At each visit to Cancer Treatment Centers of America, the doctor and staff would ask “how are you doing Dick?” He would answer the same way every time “I am perfect, except for this cancer” then he would smile and say “ that’s why I get to see you.” It never got old and they always smiled and said “good to see you Dick.” He would often make jokes about being there and would make the staff smile. He made an uncomfortable situation better with his humor. Laughter is what worked for him and our family during this difficult time.
I appreciate laughter and its ability to make an uneasy situation bearable. It can also make pain somehow hurt less. If you stub your toe but laugh at it somehow it hurts less. Laughter can brighten a room and someone’s day in minutes. One evening my mom and I were going through the mail and even though my dad passed away almost 2 years ago, she still gets mail for him. And, for some people, that could be painful or upsetting. Yet, for my family we joke and laugh about it. For example: my mom was looking at the mail and said “Angela, do you think Dad needs a special priced book by Hemingway?” I said “No, I think he’s good on books.” My husband, Phil, who was standing nearby said “Dick doesn’t need it because he’s probably hanging out with him now” And all three of us laughed at the thought of Dick in heaven with Hemingway.
Even through my dad’s cancer treatments and health challenges he made us laugh. At one point, his cancer caused him to have a bump on his head. He joked about it and laughed. At each visit to Cancer Treatment Centers of America, the doctor and staff would ask “how are you doing Dick?” He would answer the same way every time “I am perfect, except for this cancer” then he would smile and say “ that’s why I get to see you.” It never got old and they always smiled and said “good to see you Dick.” He would often make jokes about being there and would make the staff smile. He made an uncomfortable situation better with his humor. Laughter is what worked for him and our family during this difficult time.
I appreciate laughter and its ability to make an uneasy situation bearable. It can also make pain somehow hurt less. If you stub your toe but laugh at it somehow it hurts less. Laughter can brighten a room and someone’s day in minutes. One evening my mom and I were going through the mail and even though my dad passed away almost 2 years ago, she still gets mail for him. And, for some people, that could be painful or upsetting. Yet, for my family we joke and laugh about it. For example: my mom was looking at the mail and said “Angela, do you think Dad needs a special priced book by Hemingway?” I said “No, I think he’s good on books.” My husband, Phil, who was standing nearby said “Dick doesn’t need it because he’s probably hanging out with him now” And all three of us laughed at the thought of Dick in heaven with Hemingway.
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Dick Loehr