Inappropriate Time for Laughter
Recently while speaking with a delightful friend, we were doing some venting. She shared with me how she uses humor to ease the pressure of an intense moment. She shared examples of her practice and I thought wow I really want to figure out how to do that. I’m always looking for new tools to add to my toolbox on how to handle emotions.
So imagine my surprise later that day, after a days of crying, at the end of an intense funeral mass when I may have released all of my tears, I felt the sudden, nearly unstoppable urge to burst out laughing.
You’ve all been there. When a friend says thank you when receiving communion, when someone sets off the fire alarm during his grandpa’s funeral, those times when you absolutely should not laugh but because you shouldn’t the desire builds and it becomes painful to contain. The only thing that stopped me was the little voice in my head that said just keep singing Lisa, Keep singing the song.
The tickle sat inside of me, and I didn’t even trust myself to bring it up at the post gathering meal. I just couldn’t let my mind go there.
So this morning when the tickle woundn’t leave I knew I must act on it. So I texted Jenny, who sat beside me and I asked her if she saw Darby’s shoe break at the end of the service. She affirmed that she saw it too but ignored it and felt that Darby was calm and cool, of which I agree.
I need to add this little detail for affect. Darby looked stunning and I have no idea how anyone can wear heals like she had on and walk so gracefully, super impressive.
So when the bottom of her shoe fell off, and no one quite understood what was happening, she walked back picked up the broken piece. This is when my crazy mind took over and in Darby’s voice I heard her expression say….
ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME??????
It was only a second, a brief glimpse, then in classy Darby fashion, she continued down the aisle as if nothing had happened.
I don’t know Vincent enough for this additional interpretation either but if you’ll give me permission, I can’t help but wondering if he was snickering as he looked down at the amazing woman who raised him!