One of my brothers and sisters are going to see a comedian on Saturday night.  There are still opportunities to go to the same event, but I don’t consider the comedian funny enough for the prices being charged.  (Bill Cosby would be worth it to me though.)   Instead, I bought Jim Gaffigan tickets for the summer.  His humor regarding families is right up my alley.

It reminds me of a conversation I had with someone who’s wife was ridiculed once and others joined in the laughter.  (Sounds like high school to me.)  Since that point, she doesn’t think humor is a good thing.  I can understand the sentiment that being the object of ridicule is neither fun nor right, but it seems humor allows things to be said in a less confrontational way than might be possible otherwise.

I recall an interview with Louis CK, where he discussed going on tour for the veterans, especially the wounded.  Everyone would tell him the rules about not talking about their issues and being tasteful, and how he ignored that and made them laugh and how it seemed being humorous about something that would be painful to discuss was helpful.

I think that is very true.  I definitely think humor makes you look at things in a different way and even a way that’s not quite comfortable sometimes.  I have seen it used cruelly but I’ve also shared in a lot of laughs that just feel right.

As I write this, a memory of my niece, holding a plastic ball you can bounce on the walls, squealing with laughter, as I chased her around, saying “Bring that back here.  Give that to me.” while she stayed one step ahead.  Laughter is one of the best parts of my life and I’m glad to be able to indulge daily and in so many ways.