507. Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. ~Victor Hugo

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E = mc2, WW II, Shakespeare,
Parliament, ABC, Home Ec,
Digital, Olympics, Dewey Decimal,
H2O…

Screen shot 2014-10-04 at 2.16.10 PM

If one desperately needed to laugh, he/she would probably not look first in the “groves of Academe” for that which brings the gift of uproarious laughter, but that’s where I found it yesterday. And the folks around the table at lunch, including me, whose areas of expertise are expressed above the photo, had all long been high school educators. During our time together in those “groves” we formed bonds like hydrogen does with oxygen to make a life-giving source.

We were young then and raising our families, but now decades later we’re retired. The bond we formed while we taught, however, is strong still, as it usually is, with people who share in each other’s tragedies and failures as well as rejoice in each other’s triumphs and joys. Inside and outside classroom walls, we were part of the village it takes to raise a child, ours and those of others, and overtime the village was forged into a fortress that has withstood the test of time.

After my friends and I retired, we decided to meet for lunch once a month. But because I’ve been experiencing more pain than usual this last year, I have not been joining them for a while. Though not life-threatening the arthritis in both of my feet has kept me from being able to stand very long for years.  Now the Restless Leg Syndrome I’ve been experiencing has worsened rendering some nights virtually sleepless, and the problem with my left knee that developed in January has not been resolved which keeps me hobbling around with a cane. Together these issues have lately had me spiraling down into a dark and humorless pit; so I decided last week I needed to and therefore should attend our little gathering this month, and I’m so glad I did. Though we eat in the restaurant where we meet, my friend Liz always makes dessert, and yesterday she brought her “world’s best” cheesecake. So it was that as all headed home our bellies and souls had been richly fed, and we had shared in long, joyous, and spiritually healing laughter.  Winter had been driven from my face, and now I can enjoy autumn even more than ever.

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. ~Psalm 126:2a   ✝

Thank you, Lord, for these and all your “tender mercies.”

39 thoughts on “507. Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. ~Victor Hugo”

    • Thanks, Wendy. My colleagues are wonderful, caring people and I’m so glad I went yesterday. And ya know how much better can it get than friends, laughter, and cheesecake???
      Hugs and blessings to you as well. N 🙂 ❤

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  3. I am so glad you have your peeps who keep you uplifted in spirit and soul. So many of my “colleagues” are now scattered here there and yon as Carrollton saw younger teachers who were / are more transient during my last 10 years there—as I was the “old” one remaining. But I still have a handful who remain in town with a few still working and others of us more footloose and fancy free—we too try for lunch several times throughout the year on a “free” Saturday or two. And the camaraderie is always easy to slip right back into—
    Here’s to Teachers!!!!
    hugs to you my “colleague” 🙂
    cookie

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    • How kind of you, Cynthia. Your comment brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for realizing the difficult nature of what I’ve been going through. I would truly be lost without my blog and the lovely people, like you, whom I follow. Much love and huge hugs, N 🙂 ❤

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  6. Hello, Amy. It’s so nice to meet you. Friends are wonderful to laugh with indeed! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. I pray you have a lovely week ahead. Blessings, Natalie 🙂 ❤

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  7. Nothing is better medicine than good friends, great cheesecake, and laughter! I will be praying for your aches and pains and a better sleep! It is weird, some nights I can lurch out of bed with horrible foot cramps that disrupt my sleep as well! Prayers for better rest and healing!
    xoxo

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    • Thank you so much for the prayers. You’re right it doesn’t bet much better than good friends, great cheesecake, and laughter. Unless of course it ‘s loving fellow bloggers. I appreciate you, Diane. Hugs and love, N 🙂 ❤

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  8. I’m sorry to read that you have problems with you leg & knee, and endure sleepless night Natalie… but I’m glad to see that friendship and laughing is so important to you. “Winter had been driven from my face, and now I can enjoy autumn even more than ever.”… I think you’re a wonderful soul and that God absolutely and especially LOVES you 🙂 because through your intelligence, your generosity, your sincerity & braveness, we can see His light! Thank you Natalie :-)♥ take care & much love to you.

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  9. Oh, no I didn’t know you have arthritis! That is so awful! I know about arthritis because I used to take care of an elderly lady that was so severely attacked by arthritis that she could no longer use her knees, she eventually had to be operated and get knee implants. She was in so much pain, sometimes she would scream half the day. It was really awful! I hope it is not so bad with you dearest natalie! The only remedie I know for restless leg syndrome is heat, hot watter bottles, and saunas, and keep away from drafts! I am so so happy however that you got to have a lovely time with your friends, laugh and eat lovely food! 🙂 That makes me so happy! 🙂 Fun is such a lovely medicine!! 🙂 Take good care of yourself dear natalie and keep looking for fun!! 🙂 🙂 Lots of Love and a big hug to you! ❤ ❤ ❤

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  10. I am so sorry to hear that you have been suffering so with these physical problems, and that they were getting you down, but I am glad you spent that time with your friends and was revived in your spirit. These posts are timely for me. Tonight I felt my depression starting to lift, and I actually re-posted somthing about joy that I had unfortunately forgotten. Then I came here and read these posts about joy and laughter. I love the way that you write, and also carefully collect such beautiful poems from other poets, and share them. You do so well.

    Hugs and blessings,
    Theresa

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  11. Oh Natalie, so sorry to hear that you are still in pain. But laughter is one of the best remedies, and I’m glad that you found it with friends. Make sure you go again next month!

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  13. And now it is my turn to comfort you dear Natalie…and to send you beautiful healing energy…and many prayers for relief. I’m happy you went to your girlfriends and I think you should always get that love and support! ❤

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  14. How wonderful that you are still getting together with your friends! I was a teacher for 11 years until I had to retire due to illness and I am still blessed to be great friends and have priceless support from the teachers with whom I taught who just happen to be the same who taught me when I was younger! It is a blessing to call them my friends and to have their loving support in my life. I understand. ♥

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  15. Thank you for bringing me here, to this particular entry. You might, in fact would, find it very surprising to know how much I understand and can relate to what you’re feeling and going through. First – I am a bit of an empath, which is both a blessing and a curse, but I welcome it as the beauty that I was created with, and from — second, I have witnessed, been through and have always connected to, any type of physical suffering … and understand it far more than someone should who isn’t going through it themselves. I think it’s lovely, truly lovely, that you have held together with your village for all of these years – what a wonderful to have in one’s life – and I am HAPPY that you decided to go this time.

    You know, everyone, even the ones who look or seem the most delighted and content in life – finds themselves in darkness at one point or another – and human nature tends to sort of keep us from wanting to share it — no one likes being the barer of darkness to a light conversation – so we, at times, carry these burdens, feelings, emotions and dark places within ourselves – alone as they grow ever darker. I myself am guilty of this – many times over. I struggle with asking for help, or letting people know that their help would be greatly appreciated and/or needed. I guess what I’m trying to say, and having a difficult time summing it up – is that if you’re in pain and can’t find your way to your gatherings or friends, let them know – speak up —- tell them that you need someone to come and get you, help you walk to the car – whatever it is you need the help with in order to get you there. Don’t do as I do – do as I say.

    ❤ So much love to you sweetheart, you have no idea. (((hugs))) Kimberly

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    • Thanks, Kimberly, for being so understanding. I’ve always been a very strong and fiercely independent individual and am just not ready to relinquish any of that yet. My friends would help out in an instant if I asked and that’s nice to know. But for now I’m trying to keep my head above water. I have a doctor who is trying her best to make sure that happens too. So I keep praying and trusting the Lord to restore my health and wholeness. Much love to you as well, sweetie pie. Huge, gigantic hugs!!! 🙂 ❤ ❤ ❤

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      • Gosh you remind me far TOO MUCH of my mother, which also reminds me far TOO MUCH of me. She, like me, like you, was, and is – fiercely independent. It’s not always in our best interest. That’s all I’ll say – I won’t say more, because I “get it.” Right or wrong, I get it. And, huge, gigantic hugs to you sweetheart. ❤ ❤ ❤ MUAH!!! xoxoxoxoxox

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    • Thanks, Dan. I’m glad I went too. I wonder why my posts stopped appearing in your reader. Another follower of mine has happen to him twice. I’m so glad that you can get them by email and that the quality is better. Blessings, N 🙂

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  19. Natalie, glad that you were able to join your friends again for lunch. It is always wonderful when we can find the strength to join in with friends and enjoy seeing everyone. I hope you feel good enough to continue meeting up with your friends. Now I have a yen for cheese cake. I have now decided to make one for Thanksgiving. Your post’s are always beautiful and enlightening. They always lift my spirit, and I look forward to continue reading them. Bless you.

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    • Thank you, Patricia. I am feeling some better now since one of the 3 health issues has been fairly resolved, and I will attend our next luncheon which is this Friday. I love cheesecake and last year my sister made a pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving. I was dubious at first but it was sooooooo good! I hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I’m sure it will because you are making a cheesecake. I’m so glad my posts lift your spirits. I always enjoy reading yours as well. Love and hugs, N ❤

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