When Was The Last Time You Belly Laughed

“… that is the best – to laugh with someone because
you both think the same things are funny.”
–- Gloria Vanderbilt

Last summer my little Irish mother was visiting from Florida. One of my very best friends came by to visit, as she and my mother have shared many hours over the years. I walked out of the room to do something, I returned to find them both sitting on a bench blissfully giggling. It was a moment where asking, “What are you laughing about?” would not have made any sense because it almost seemed as though they might not know. I witnessed this same scene several times between my mother and my closest friend. I have come to understand that they have this chemistry and that the very presence of the other ignites laughter.

Laughter is in great shortage these days. I mean the deep belly laugh kind -- the kind that when your final giggle is over you feel a fullness and deep joy. Children often experience this as a natural state of being. As we grow older, the seriousness of life often sets in and removes us from this joyful, playful place.

What makes you laugh, I mean really laugh, deep belly laugh?

Maureen Simon