“You grow up the day you have your first real laugh, at yourself.” Ethel Barrymore
I’m very grown up when it comes to laughing at myself.
Just ask my husband. He often says, “You think you’re funny even when no one else does.”
He’s right. I do.
That was, until the day our son walked into the living room and said, “Wow, that looks like one sick bumblebee.”
He was talking about my still-had-the-tags-on-it top, right out of the bag from shopping that afternoon. I like stripes, and I thought my new top would be a perfect match with black pants. I have to admit, after our son called attention to it, the lime green did resemble a queasy yellow, but I wore it that evening anyway.
However, after that, it hung unworn in my closet for more than a year.
Cleaning out clothes one Saturday, I took my sickly garment off the hanger to put in the give away pile. I figured there was no need to look at it any longer, hoping I’d forget what our son said. I hated the money I wasted and the practical purchase gone bad.
I unexpectedly laughed out loud. I was standing in my closet alone and rehearsing the long ago scene. I felt a bit sorry for myself until, for some reason, I got tickled. I started giggling. I laughed till I cried. I laughed so hard I snorted at least once. I sat on the floor and laughed some more.
I wore the top to dinner that night. And again the next week. Two days later. And the week after that.
It washes very nicely, by the way.
I wore it last week to meet one of my editors at a coffee house. Getting out of my car, I noticed a fellow wearing a striped polo shirt the exact same colors. I came close to asking if we could get a picture together for this post, but thought he may not be as mature as me – he may not see the humor. I got tickled about that too.
No, not tickled pink … tickled green.
Is there something you can laugh about now that didn’t seem funny before?
WRite wHere I’m supposed to be – Instead of being sick and tired, may laughter change anything and everything in life that needs an adjustment.
Personally… I like your sick bumblebee! That\’s a great story! I had to chuckle out loud. Sounds just like something my son would say!
Thanks, Louise. Kids give us so many reasons to laugh!