"Because of you I laugh a little harder, cry a little less and smile a lot more."
Like all mornings that begin with maddening backed up traffic dashes and 90 minute waits in doctor's offices staring at fish aquariums...I was annoyed. Annoyed not only about the routine physical examination I would have to endure for insurance purposes, but also about the 5th cup of water I was having to down for tests on an already nauseated stomach at 8:30 am.
You gotta LOVE. IT.
Then, just as my small mind got completely comfortable wrappin itself around a self pity style morning, I saw him enter the room.
He looked to be in his late 30's. Handsome with thick dark hair and a warm smile. Wheeling his way into the room, he locked his chair into place and lifted a large backpack up onto the receptionists desk and pulled out a stack of papers.
"Thanks to you ladies, my paperwork load is getting lighter every visit."
Flirty, lighthearted and fun, he spoke with a strong drawl that reminded me of sweet childhood friends from Alabama and the way a southern accent can suddenly set a frantic mood into calmness.
Ever so intentionally eavesdropping, I was drawn into the conversation as he spoke candidly about his accident. An accident which had devastatingly crushed his spine when he plunged 30 feet from a drilling rig.
"Never imagined I would be in this shape. You'd never imagine the odd things that I miss. Oh, sure I miss the use of my legs and the normal day to day, but there are a lot of things I've lost that I never really thought about...like spitting. Do you know I dang well can't spit anymore? I miss spittin."
He said it with perfect southern sarcastic style timing, instantly putting the entire receptionist desk not only at ease, but into full laughter mode.
"Not that I was a big spitter or anything, don't get me wrong ladies, but I never thought about the stomach muscles I used to spit or raise myself from the waist up."
He continued as the mood went from laughter to a bit more somber,
"You wanna know the one thing I miss more than anything? My dadgum laugh. I tell you somethin' right now. I had the most boisterous boomin belly laugh you ever heard. I was famous for it! Couldn't hide how I was feelin. No sir. Everyone knew it when I was amused. I can't laugh like that anymore, now it's more like a whisper. Crazy thing ain't it? To miss the sound of your own laughter. I guess it ain't really that big a deal. I just wish I could hear it again. Y'know, before I forget what it sounds like."
Tears began to roll down my face as his voice trailed off and he rolled down the hallway.
When had been the last time I heard myself laugh?
When was the last time I really listened?
What had I been complaining about 5 minutes ago?
May you find every reason to laugh today, with every inch of your being.
May you fall in love with the sound.
Hepburn Hugs & Ric Ocasek Dreams,
xo
Birdee
