Laughter is the Best Medicine

by Cheri Chesley

Right now I'm watching 3 grown men try to fit a couch out the doorway. I promise, I am not laughing. No, really.

Today I had to take my daughter to the dentist to have some fillings put in. At this dentist, they give kids nitrous oxide, or "happy gas," to help them relax. My daughter was nervous about the whole experience, so we went ahead with the gas first to give her a chance to settle down before anything got started. They also have TV's in the ceiling, headphones, and the patient gets the remote. Spongebob was just starting.

"I love this show!" my daughter exclaimed.

Within just a few minutes, she was in la-la land with a capital LA! "Spongebob!" she yelled. "Spongebob! I'm here!"

Of course I have video. What kind of a mom do you take me for? lol

Packing to move is stressful. Today, I experienced my daughter's "happy gas" taking the edge off my stress and worry. I haven't laughed so hard in ages. I was still smiling when I wrote the check. Best money I've ever spent.

I did have some slight concern, because her antics had the dentist laughing pretty hard. But it all worked out fine. And fast. Within 20 minutes, she was done. It took her another 45 minutes to come back down to earth. She was the hit of my chiropractor's office. No lie.

What does this have to do with writing? I'm not sure, but it was too funny not to share. Maybe it can serve as a reminder that writing, like life, needs some humor in it.