Drove back home to Alabama early afternoon. When I left my youngest grandson said, “Patty, you can’t drive home. I can’t even see through your windshield.” My car windshield was spray painted solid yellow with pollen. I told him to step back and I turned on the wipers with the windshield cleaner and I was good to go. He was amazed.

I watched a glorious spring blue sky most of the way home. The clouds looked like a beautiful cut glass bowl of whipping cream dollops resting right on top of the horizon. Sometimes the whipping cream had shades of pale purple swirled through, other bowls had some cigar smoke grays in them. As I got closer to Alabama the clouds’ bellies got navy and purple, masking the sun’s rays.

I was mesmerized by this beautiful pale purple cloud that briefly turned lilac when a heavy downpour, like the Lord was emptying his bathtub, poured down on my car Theodosia. I didn’t have time to roll the windows up. Now my clothes were wet. I fumbled with the windshield wipers, cause I’ve only used them once before. I had a momentary moment of “Help me, Jesus!” I remembered God helps fools and babies. Psalm 116:6, states “The Lord protects the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me.” I was grateful I had attended Sunday School and church in case I might be headed heavenly today. I appreciate God labeling me simple instead of the old fool that I am!

My granddaughter thinks I’m funny because I was born on April Fools Day. I remind her it was also Easter Sunday, too. Vet brother, when told the Easter Bunny had brought him a baby sister, told Daddy to take it back, said he and oldest brother didn’t want it. Thank goodness they kept me anyway.

I had so much laughter on this visit with the grandchildren. I told them how we used to randomly dial a telephone number from the phone book and say, “Is your refrigerator running?” And when they replied, “Yes.” We’d say, “Well, you better go catch it!” And then we’d abruptly hang up. We laughed ourselves silly. I swore to the children I only did it once. I know their mother thinks I’m a bad influence on them but she still loves me. She bought me a birthday cake. After laughing ourselves crazy, my son says, “Mama, they’ve never even seen a phone book.” I’m going to show them one on their next visit.

After my refrigerator story the children decided to prank their dad. They have recently gotten a new refrigerator to replace their old refrigerator that was leaking water on the floor. The new refrigerator has a water dispenser inside the door facing. The kids put their tennis shoes in front of the refrigerator, stood water bottles in each shoe, and Handley ran off to tell her Daddy that water was “running from the refrigerator.” Thomas quickly ran in the house to check on it. We really got a good laugh. The look on his face was priceless. We should have caught his expression on camera. He joined us in our laughter.

“Only those who know how to weep can also laugh heartily.” — Kathleen R. Fischer

I realized this weekend that laughter is such a vital part of my life. My grandchildren and I always enjoy laughing. Even a game of Go Fishing can produce a fit of giggles. God laughs, too. Psalm 2:4 says, “He who sits in the heavens laughs.” Biblical scripture tells us that in heaven nothing will cause unhappiness so I know heaven is full of laughter. Revelation 21:4 reads, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Scripture also tells us that God laughs at the wicked, knowing he is not intimidated by his enemies. In Psalms 2 we read, “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: The Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure.” God controls everything that happens. He’s our source of strength when we’re overcome by life’s challenges. We can feel safe in our faith in God for nothing surprises him or threatens him.

Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Ecclesiastes 3:4 reads, “A time to weep, and a time to laugh.” I cry and I laugh and I’m grateful God gave me the ability to express myself this way. Life can be heart wrenching and full of sadness and life can be joyous and wonderfully beautiful. “Life is better when you cry a little, laugh a lot, and are thankful for everything you’ve got.”

“Laughter is God’s blessing.” — Joseph Prince