I laugh a lot, frequently at inappropriate times, and usually loudly, with abandon. It brings me great joy to make others laugh, as well. I recently told a new friend of mine, "I don't know you well enough to get you something you really like for your birthday, so I found something that will make you laugh." Sometimes, others laugh at me when I'm being perfectly serious.
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| Pre-disastered |
It is that reasoning that led me to feel absolutely comfortable, placing my young son in my lap, in an open cockpit biplane to fly over the ocean. There had already been one private plane crash that week, so I felt perfectly safe going on that journey. The flight was beautiful and peaceful and exciting – one of my favorite memories. I wonder if Griffin remembers it?
What, may you ask, does that have to do with making people laugh. It was during just such a pre-disaster episode this week that I was the catalyst for the laughter of others. Griffin informed me that the Jeep, which just weeks ago was the lucky recipient of a full engine transplant, was making noise on start-up. Sure enough, I was present to hear Griffin turn over the engine, and sounds like a despairing circular saw emanated from under the hood. We took her to the car dealership immediately to have this sound checked out. In my way of thinking, this is the Jeep pre-road trip, pre-disaster. I informed the folks in the service department of my upcoming cross-country trip and asked them to give her a good check up before I hit the road. They looked dubious.
As it happens, the Jeep dealership is right next door to the BMW dealership, so after we left the Cherokee, in hopefully capable hands, G and I ventured next door to inquire about an alternate vehicle for the trip. As mentioned in a previous post, I wondered whether it would be possible to temporarily swap the 428i, which is a lease, for a 4-wheel BMW for the journey. "What are my options?" I asked the wet-behind-the-ears, sales rep. Yes, this is an example of me being perfectly serious, and yet causing others to laugh. Let us just say that option is no longer on the table.
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| Deer Park Monastery |
The second chuckle I unintentionally caused this week was from my friend Alice. She and I had been emailing back and forth when I mentioned my plans for stopping at the Deer Park Monastery in Escondido. Her response was, "WHAT! You in a monastery?"
Their website gives the most concise description. "Deer Park Monastery is a mindfulness practice center and monastic training center founded by the Vietnamese buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay)." I was fortunate enough to hear Thich Nhat Hanh speak several years ago. My late friend, Richard, and I learned, at the last minute, about Thay's appearance in Baltimore, and we were able to dash in at the last minute. Prior and since I have endeavored to read all of Thay's books. A couple of years ago, I was granted the extreme honor of volunteering for The Mindfulness Bell magazine associated with Deer Park. Every article they send for editing is a blessing, and I hope to keep working with them in this capacity for years to come.
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| deerparkmonastery.org |
The song for today
In the spirit of Garp, I wish to share another story with you. The song in the opening sequence is When I'm 64, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. On Darryl's 64th birthday, I sang this song to him. In public. At a bar. Another beautiful memory – Darryl.
Today's gratitude
pre-disasters and signs from the universe
Darryl
laughter (everyone's)
recorded messages from Ericka Sallee
the soft breeze of ceiling fans
Griffin, always
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