How Much Is Laughter Really Worth? (standard:humor, 902 words)
Author: Godspenman	Added: Oct 01 2023	Views/Reads: 427/230	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Much of our problems can be dealt with through a merry heart. We look for artificial medicine that does not get to the heart of our problems.

Of all the things I prioritize in my life, laughter is at the top of the
list. I appreciate laughter more than any other thing. 

Some people get paid for their jokes, while others pay mightily. I am in
the latter category. I like to make people laugh, but sometimes it 
costs me. 

Whenever I see somebody with a frown, my first thought is how to make
that person laugh. If it's in the supermarket and they're walking down 
the aisle toward me, I put in gear something to make them laugh. 
Usually, it works, but once in a while, it doesn't. 

Where my jokes don't fly too well is with The Gracious Mistress of the
Parsonage. I try the best I can to make her laugh, and occasionally, I 
succeed. When I fail, there is a price to be paid. 

For example, our birthdays are two days apart in July. We celebrated our
birthdays at one of our favorite restaurants this past year. 

After finishing our dinner, they brought dessert, and then The Gracious
Mistress of the Parsonage looked at me and said, "Do you feel old 
today?" 

I have difficulty taking things seriously, so I reached across the
table, took hold of her arm, squeezed it very gently, and said, "I feel 
old now." 

You might be surprised I was the only one laughing at the table. 

Getting into trouble with some joke is not that bad. I haven't gotten
into too much trouble, but once in a while, I do. 

Like everybody else, I get these scam calls, particularly concerning
Medicare upgrades. I should be grateful that so many people want to 
help me upgrade my Medicare program. And yet, being a Pennsylvania 
Dutchman, I don't trust people who want to give me something for free. 

I got a call the other day, and they wanted to upgrade my Medicare plan
so that I had everything I deserved. Then they asked me how old I was. 
That was the switch that turned on the light bulb in my head. 

"I really don't know," I said as thoughtfully as possible, "every year
my age changes and I just can't keep up to date with it." 

There was a pause on the other end of the phone line, and finally, that
person started speaking French and told me a lot about my mother. Then 
there came the "click." 

I laughed and used it several times since. 

Several weeks ago, I had a dental appointment to fix some of my teeth. I
can't imagine being a dentist and spending my whole career looking into 
people's mouths, especially me with bad breath. 

I went into the office on my appointed day, signed in, and then took a
seat. 

Shortly, the lady at the desk asked me to come forward. I did not quite
know what she wanted. 

She showed me a file and asked, "Is this you?" 

I looked at the file, looked back at her, and said, "No, that is not
me." 

Looking a little frustrated, she said maybe she got the wrong file. 

"No," I said, looking at her. Then I pointed to my chest and said to
her, "This is me and that is just paper with my name on it." 

People sitting in the waiting room started giggling, and finally, the
lady at the desk got what I said and started laughing. "So," she said 
laughing, "this paper is not you." 

I love it when a plan comes together. 


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