The sky is so pretty late afternoon as cloud layers of white, then blue, then white, then blue, each layer a different color, a different gradient shade, meld together as they float to the top of the aqua white heavens. Just as the sunset pageant began behind the curtain of clouds, the sun burned a bright white hole in the clouds and stepped up on the horizon’s stage the moment Mother Nature picked up her watercolors, brushing the surrounding clouds a pale pink. A pretty sunset tonight in pinks and blues and vanilla whites.

Before the sunset pageant began, Mother Nature dressed the sun in a chic blueberry cashmere sweater, tucked into slim fitting faded jeans. The sun stepped on the horizon in her rhinestone boots wearing a long wool camel coat, thick blueberry checked scarf, tan leather gloves, and white wool beanie. Father Sky, dressed in a matching blueberry turtleneck, tweed wool blazer, tailored chinos, and leather cowboy boots reached out for the sun’s hand to escort her down the horizon. As they walked down the horizon, twilight lit up the landscape as the sun dragged the day to darkness. Father Sky kissed the sun goodnight and hurried to wake Mr. Waning Gibbous Moon and his circle of twinkling girl friends. Just checked on the pageant of the night sky as I walked Penelope and it’s clear and majestically dark purple. Today has waked and gone back to bed beautifully.

Today’s quote in my daily quote book is from Victor Hugo and reads, “Laughter is sunshine; it chases winter from the human face.” I love to laugh and get tickled, except when sitting on a church pew. My dearest friend and I both have contagious laughter even when having phone conversations. I think laughter is a gift helping lighten a heavy day and a heavy heart. God created laughter as a blessing to foster joy and hope. Literal definitions of laughter read “the act or sound of laughing, to roar/howl with laughter, tears/gales/peals of laughter.” I’m wondering what gales and peals of laughter are so I’m doing a little research. Gales of laughter are sudden, intense outbursts of laughter like a strong wind. Gales of laughter are uncontrollable amusement. Peals of laughter are loud ringing laughter occurring in repeated bursts kinda like a bell. My dearest friend and I experience gales every time we talk on the phone or see each other. We usually throw a few peals in, too. My granddaughter loves to say, “Let’s get tickled, Patty.” She’s inherited my love of laughter.

Scripture in Proverbs 7:22 states, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” The scripture speaks of laughter as reflecting God’s happiness and grace. The “good medicine” emphasizes the physical and emotional joy of having a positive outlook on life. A happy faithful heart is a healing heart. Laughter is a natural expression of our joy and faith. Psalm 126:2 expresses joy when God restored Israel from exile reading, “Then our mouths were filled with laughter, and our tongues with shouts of joy.”

I think God enjoys a good belly laugh, too. He probably laughs watching the predicaments we get into. We strike off down the wrong path, knowing we’re not supposed to walk that way, and I’m sure it amuses God when we trip over the rocks when the path strays from our faith. He probably grins and thinks, “I told you so.” An old Yiddish proverb reads, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.”

God never laughs at us but he does laugh with us.

“God has a sense of humor. If you don’t believe me, tomorrow go to Walmart and just look at people.” — Carlos Mercia