Giggling and Laughter

Here's the original PollyAnna in our family ~ Dad.

Be silly, it helps.

Your loved one may provide the silly on their own and it might be a mixed bag. Laugh anyway. 

Dreamer rocking the hat and flashlight! 

Case in point:

Friday night I went to mom's after work.  As usual when she knows I'm coming, she's ready to go, coat on, purse on shoulder, walking out of the garage.  This time, I had to use the bathroom. So I did, she waits for me in the garage.  As I open the door going back into the garage - she's right there at the doorway in front of me...and we both laugh our butts off.  Mom radar seems to be unaffected by dementia so far.

We decide to go to our favorite craft store.  She tells me she's happy to have such a great relationship with her daughters and she's sad for mothers who fight with their children or they just don't like each other.  Mom pauses for a moment and asks me who my parents are.  I can't breathe, this CANNOT be happening now, not after the rough week we've both had, I'm not ready for this, I'm sooo not ready!  CRAP do not cry...do NOT cry.

I catch my breath and answer "You and dad".  I look at her.  Please come back to me, please.  "That's good.  He was such a special man, just the best ever."  And she tells me the story of their wedding again.  I hold back tears of relief and joy, joining in the story.

We reach the parking lot of "our" craft store, it's ALWAYS busy and full of cars.  I prowl for a parking spot.  Even though mom's vision isn't so good anymore, she has eagle eyes for a parking space. "Oh there's one right here in front of you." her voice full of glee.  It was close to the store.  "Damn, it's a handicap spot." she says.  "Well, I suppose if I slap you, you can claim you're handicapped and we can park there!  It's so close..." she giggles.  I burst out laughing, thankful for the wonderfully inappropriate joke and her screwball sense of humor. It's always been her secret weapon with me - sneaky, snarky jokes that before now were usually whispered in my ear at inappropriate times to make me giggle and belly laugh. We crack up all the way into the store.  She tries to quiet us "Shhh, we gotta stop or they'll think we're nuts and throw us out!"  We giggle harder at the thought of being called nuts.  We finally straighten up halfway through the store at the remnants bin. She is serious about her remnants, making something beautiful and worth while out of a scrap.


She is still in the early to moderate stages, I cherish the time we spend talking and especially laughing.  The disease is progressive, so I treat the good days like the gems they are wearing them proudly.


Laughter is a huge part of what sees us through the difficulties and challenges.  We hope it does the same for you as well.


Back to my awesome sis DreamQuester,
Voyageur