Monday, May 10, 2010

Book quotes: laughter/jokes

"People responded to tragedy in so many different ways. I would lead the charge with my offbeat sense of humor and somehow, by doing that, give everyone permission to laugh. Laughter would keep us sane, it would provide relief. Even laughter was a tiny way to take action."  In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing, written by Lee and Bob Woodruff.

"Gallows humor has its roots in the quest for sanity. When the situation is so black, so dark, that grief or fear threatens to overwhelm, there is nothing like a good joke or two to resuscitate hope."  In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing, written by Lee and Bob Woodruff.

"We made it impossible for him to take himself too seriously." In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing, written by Lee and Bob Woodruff.


My hair was braided by the nurses, I was still in a coma so I didn't get the opportunity to laugh at my new look or refer to the do as my "Coolio braids".  I will say that Laura, Kate, Caryn and I got a good laugh over this picture the first time I finally looked at the accident photos.


"No matter how black the hours, light, laughter, and feeling will slowly begin to trickle back one day."   In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing, written by Lee and Bob Woodruff.
I am pretty proud of how I have adapted to this new life.  Proud of everything except flipping off a health care professional, flashing anyone who happened to be unfortunate enough to be anywhere near my hospital room, sitting on anyone who was helping me learn to walk again  - which apparently tires you out quickly and the list goes on and on.  Luckily my family has a great sense of humor and were able to laugh when I pulled any antics. I am also grateful that I did not loose my sense of humor, I am still able to find quirky things interesting.  I am definitely able to laugh at myself when I do or say something odd, my family gave themselves permission to find joy where they could, to laugh at something they thought I would have gotten a kick out of.  I have also found that it is easier to get through the day at therapy if I allow myself the opportunity to laugh while I am there, more than likely I am laughing at myself but every once in awhile I find the funny in someone else.  Luckily I have a solid relationship with my therapists and I can share my thoughts and/or observations with them.  Seriously, when a grown man is having a drama-geek melt down how do you not laugh?  I wasn't laughing at him, I was laughing at the situation.
 
"Sometimes it was easier to operate on blind faith." In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing, written by Lee and Bob Woodruff.
Every once in awhile I  catch myself feeling like maybe everything will be OK if I just lower all of my expectations.  I can guarantee that I will not be lowering my expectations for myself or for anyone else who may come along.  I am not going to apologize for wanting good things to happen in my life, I am going to keep pushing the envelope and I am going to keep hoping that things get better.  If I slip into the mode where I operate on "blind faith" than so be it.

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