The Giggles Night

Last evening I attended a “Giggles Night” presented by the Toastmaster’s groups of our area. It took place in Lindsay at the East Side Mario’s as a fund raiser for the Hospital. Talk about funny! We all laughed until it hurt.

My son-in-law Bruce Lindsay was one of the speakers. He is a quiet and reserved Funeral Director by day… but then is transformed by night to a very funny guy. He is good at what he does – so good in fact that he won a major speaking contest last year for the entire region.

The three speakers last evening talked about all kinds of topics. Half the audience came from the medical world where things are not always funny. In fact, the stress and the nightmares that some have are overwhelming.

Last night we laughed together.

The Bible states that “A Merry Heart does good like a medicine”. It seems that the ancient wisdom that was proclaimed so long ago is still true today.

Many of us have forgotten to laugh. In fact maybe we just don’t take time to laugh. How can you when you hurt so bad? How can you when you are surrounded with so many people that are in so much trouble?

I have noticed something of a transformation where humor is very much evident and needed.

When a family loses a loved one everyone weeps. The weeping goes on for a period of about three days… beginning just after the death… continuing through the visitation when friends and family surround the widow or family members….then through the memorial service there are many tears. BUT – within an hour after the service there is laughter sprinkled around the room as people now begin the journey away from the tragedy. The grief dam starts to break.

It is at that moment that I see the possible miracle that God has placed within us – the merry heart is possible again.

Grant it – many of the deaths that I have attended and the funerals that I have taken part in have followed long sicknesses. The death was a relief.

There will be days and times when the loss will be great. The clouds always seem to be too heavy to clear away.

But above the cloud cover is always sunshine. Just a little way from you is someone that will giggle with you – if you let them.

The funeral that I attended to this week left me shaken and not laughing. Last night I let loose and laughed heartily. What a release!

I encourage you today to laugh again. Giggle a little. When was the last time that you did that? When was the last time you let go?

Just in case it is hard to do… this may help. Have a great big Giggle Day!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
This is Bruce Lindsay - Winner of the Toastmaster's Humorous Speach contest for the Ontario Region!!!!