Someone told me this week that my sense of humor, as it is evidenced both in my writing and in-person, has tenets of Carol Burnett, Erma Bombeck and the Divine Miss M (which is Bette Midler for those of you too young to know such monikers…also note Bruce Springsteen is The Boss).  Nice compliment I thought…not sure it has too much truth in it, but I accepted it graciously and it has stuck with me. 

That compliment got me to thinking about humor compatibility.  My friends crack me up – they are funny people. I think that is what draws me to them as humor is so important in my life.  I believe one’s sense of humor does provide somewhat of a window to one’s soul.  It certainly gives insight to one’s personality and coping mechanisms.  I have used humor liberally through my life to get through tougher times.  I do believe laughter is healing.

I was talking to a new fella’ I met and he was telling me his whole series of corny pirate jokes and I have to tell you – I was cracking up.  Part of the delight was in the relish with which he delivered the jokes and the other part was just how simple but funny they were.  Corny jokes like that are designed to elicit an unexamined and spontaneous laugh and nine times out of ten they deliver.  I had to give props to this fella’ for understanding the importance of humor to me right out the gate and for recognizing that one of the best things folks can share is laughter.

So, according to one very complimentary person my sense of humor contains tenets of other female humorists that I very much admire…very cool…but really, all I truly aspire to is to imbue my life and those around me with laughter.  Sure, most of the time that laughter is a byproduct of the general everyday happenings of my life – I don’t have any corny pirate jokes at the ready – perhaps my new friend will teach me some.

I am reminded of the lyrics from the old John Lennon song, "Grow old with me, the best is yet to be."  I always see that on love and marriage cards and gifts.  It is sweet and I guess I subscribe to it, but I am creating my own relationship mantra that I like even better (not that I am ever marrying again – stand down the troops):

Laugh with me and be free, that is what life should be.

Day three hundred and fifty-six of the new forty – obla di obla da

Ms. C