I’ve made many mistakes in my life. Lots of bad calls, bad falls and bad choices. Sometimes, all at the same time. But when I was in heaven pre birth picking out stuff I made one good choice, I asked the angel in charge of supplies for a sense of humor.
“Okay,” he said, “but that’s a big one, you have to trade in a few of the things you’ve already chosen.”
“Okay, what do I have to give back?
“I’ll need that perfect nose and oh, sorry you won’t be able to keep the all you can eat and not gain weight metabolism.”
“That’s a little harsh isn’t it?”
“No way, a sense of humor is a biggie and worth a lot. Oh, and sorry I need those blue eyes back.”
I grudgingly agreed.
“Just checking your list here and see you took your father’s height. Sorry”
“Wait, you mean I have to do the short and slow metabolism thing of my mother?”
“Yep.”
“I’m not sure a sense of humor is worth all this good stuff.”
“Well it is a choice you know. If you get all the stuff to make you gorgeous and thin, you really don’t need a sense of humor. You will however need it for the short, dumpy, big nosed and slow metabolism you.”
“Uh huh,” I said. “So you mean a sense of humor is really worth all this?”
“More than gold.”
“I don’t understand. Why do I have to give everything back?”
“Because having a great sense of humor will mean so much to you.”
“Doesn’t it mean the same to everyone?”
“Nope, it depends on your life. I see how much you’ll need it, whereas some others won’t as much.”
“Doesn’t everyone need a sense of humor?”
“Of course to a certain extent, but some need a small quantity to get through life, you will need copious amounts.”
“Great, that’s comforting.”
“Hey I’m only telling it like it is. Listen, I don’t want to be mean here so I’ll tell you what, I’ll let you keep your personality. It’s a high end one and it will help you overcome living without the other stuff.”
“You’re all heart. But I’m reconsidering. I mean why do I need such a Cadillac sense of humor?”
“It’s how you’ll overcome the challenges life throws your way.”
“Can’t I just duck and avoid them?”
The angel smiled. “I forgot you haven’t met your mother yet. No the sense of humor you have will be your savior in your life. Trust me on this one.”
“Can I share it with the world?”
“Yes, you could create comedy.”
“What’s comedy?”
“It’s something you do in show business.”
“So I will be in this show business with my sense of humor”
“Yes, and that’s where you’ll need it most.”
“So I need a sense of humor to share my sense of humor in this show business thing?”
“Desperately.”
“Does everyone in show business have a sense of humor?”
“No, that’s why you need to have one.”
“I understand.”
“No you don’t, but you will if you ever see show business up close.”
“Can I pass my sense of humor onto my children and grandchildren?”
“Absolutely, it’s yours to do whatever you want with now.”
“Well at least it makes me feel better that I paid a high price and got the better model. My kids will benefit as well.”
“What exactly does this sense of humor do for me?”
“Allows you to laugh.”
“Can’t everyone laugh?”
“Sadly, no.”
“What does this laughing thing do?”
“Extends your life. Helps you embrace joy.”
“What’s joy?”
“Joy is a feeling of happiness and contentment that transcends.”
“So that’s a good thing right?”
“That’s the best. It also helps you leap over the pits of despair and heartache.”
“Are there a lot of those around?”
“Many I’m afraid. They are parts of the human condition in copious supply. Humor thwarts the damage they can do.”
“What else can it do?”
“It brings you a sense of euphoria.”
“How does that feel?”
“It’s when your brain releases these little things called endorphins that make you feel sublimely happy.”
“I want to feel happy, right?”
“Right.”
“It sounds like this humor thing is the best thing you can have.”
“It is one of the best.”
“Did I get to keep any other good stuff?”
“Well humor usually goes hand in hand with a big heart. So you have that going for you as well.”
“So that’s a good thing right?”
“Yes and no.”
“Why no?”
“Because caring about others can be painful at times. That’s sort of a double edged sword I’m afraid.”
“Like humor, huh?”
“No, humor has no double edge. It’s the one thing that is completely good. It let’s you see the funny side of life even when life is sad and cruel. It opens you up to a way of thinking that you could never understand unless it’s a part of you. It brings only good into your life and the lives of those around you.”
“Sounds to me like it beats out skinny and blue eyes any day.”
The angel laughed. “You can easily survive in life without those things, but without a sense of humor you’d be lost.”
“Thanks for turning me onto it. I’m really glad I chose humor and laughter.”
“It’s the best choice you’ll ever make because it will make all the bad choices bearable. So enjoy!”
“Hey who’s that guy over there with the bright red head of hair?”
“That’s Carrot Top.”
“Did he choose humor and to be funny too?”
The angel shook his head. “That’s a matter of opinion, but that’s a discussion for another day.”
A Great Recipe From Norma:
Shrimp Crabmeat Pasta Slaw
1 package Shredded cabbage (may use the pre-shredded packages in grocery store)
2 cups Rotini pasta cooked (colored or plain, but I use the colored)
2 cups cooked cut in half Shrimp
2 cups either real or fake crabmeat
Salt and pepper
Add all together and toss with mayo dressing
Frieda’s Mayonnaise dressing
1 cup of mayo
2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 heaping tablespoon of sugar (artificial sweeteners may be used here instead, but will have to be sweetened to your particular tastes)
Mix together all and toss into slaw mixture. If you like it with more dressing just double the recipe.
Add soup or fruit or both and it’s a great meal.
