LAUGH

My dear friend, Ray, died on Thanksgiving morning, after a four month battle with bile duct cancer. Throughout the entire ordeal, Ray was upbeat with a positive outlook on his situation.

Judy, Ray's wife, and I have been friends for over twenty years. Every Wednesday night we talk on the phone. I call Wednesdays "Judy Night" and she calls them "Marilou Night". Humor is a huge part of our friendship. Judy laughs so easily at almost everything and anything. She finds humor in the simplest things, which is wonderful.

Judy's humor is in her stories. She can go to the grocery store and return home with a crazy experience that she can spin into a funny story. I go to the grocery store and come home with milk and bread.

I visited Judy and Ray a few weeks ago. I said my goodbye to Ray as I knew his time was near. We talked about his life and legacy. His biggest concern was Judy and I promised him that I would take care of her forever. He also was worried about having their financial paperwork completed.

During the course of his disease, Judy kept herself busy managing their home, caring for Ray and all the other numerous tasks that needed to be done. Through it all, she was still herself and able to laugh. The morning of Thanksgiving when she called to tell me that Ray had died, she was in shock and numb. Living so far away, I felt so helpless as I wanted immediately to be there to comfort her.

Later, I gave her a call to let her know that I am always here for her. I hoped to be able to cheer her up. But it was her, in the end, who cheered me up as she, so typically, made me laugh. I am so blessed to have her in my life.

LAUGH

You can always make me laugh.
You laugh so easily; so often.
Even when things are rough,
you find something to chuckle about.

We have been through a lot;
you and me.
Lots of great times, with some a bit tough.
But through it all, you eased the pain
because you can always make me laugh.

Now we are facing a tough time.
Your heart is breaking, the pain is deep.
I promised him I would take care of you forever,
but I feel so helpless, so powerless.

There is nothing I can say.
There is not much I can do,
but to let you know I am always here
to help share the burden, to ease the pain.

I gave you a call to cheer you up.
To let you know you are not alone.
But it was you, who instead, cheered me up,
because then again,
you, so amazingly,
made me laugh.