PRESSED BETWEEN THE PAGES
DeAnn (Wolkow) Kruempel
No Laughing Matter
“We need to laugh more.” A dear friend often made the comment as our chuckles subsided after her latest delightful story. Even at 104, Ethel loved to laugh.
Years ago, an elderly gentleman stopped at the library every Monday. He selected a book to check out and stopped at my desk. “DeAnn, I have a joke for you.” Jim happily recited some silly riddle or pun. I giggled and thanked him. “That’s my gift to people,” he said as he left, “to make them laugh.”
My siblings and I fondly recall our aunts sitting around the kitchen table on Sunday afternoons. Fueled by coffee and cookies, they told stories. Our mother was crazy about “Ole and Lena” jokes. Sometimes she would get so involved in telling the story and start laughing so hard, she messed up the punch line! It didn’t matter. The aunts were already consumed with tummy-shaking laughter just from watching Mom. Tears soon streamed down every face.
Ole and Lena pretty much faded into the Minnesota sunset years ago. Did laughter disappear with them? Has face-to face eye-twinkling, knee-slapping verbal jocularity gone the way of the Model T? Our parents and grandparents had lived through hard times. War, rationing, drought. Did this make them somehow appreciate life more? Has our comfortable, technology-filled lifestyle diminished the simple joy of laughing with another person?
Modern studies reveal that laughter has profound benefits for our physical, mental, and social health. It boosts immunity, relieves stress, improves cognitive function, increases blood flow and just plain makes us happier. For work-out warriors, research has shown that 100 laughs a day is equivalent to ten minutes of jogging!
Sharing humor is a mighty tool that strengthens connections with others, builds trust and remedies resentments. Laughter is contagious; hearing others laugh makes us want to join in.
Turns out, Mom and the aunts, Library Jim and Dear Friend Ethel had the right idea all along.
It’s up to us to keep the laughter alive for future generations; it is far too important to be forgotten or replaced by other forms of entertainment.
How can we get more giggles, guffaws, chuckles, snickers, shrieks, cackles, howls, chortles, crows, cachinnations, and other mirthful sounds into our lives? We can engage in fun, from-the-heart social communication with others; ditch the screens unless they bring meaningful connections with loved ones.
Make up your own silly stories or try these comical contenders:
Where do sheep love to go on vacation? The Baa Hamas.
Where do penguins go to vote? The North Poll.
Why can’t leopards play hide-and-seek? Because they are always spotted.
A man is recovering from a minor surgery when a nurse comes in to check on him.
“How are you feeling?” she asks. “I am OK,” but I didn’t like the four-letter word the doctor used during surgery.”
“What did he say,” the nurse asks. “Oops.”
Author’s note: I am pretty sure groaning is the same as smiling inside. That might make your tummy hurt. And that’s no laughing matter. Or is it?
DeAnn Kruempel grew up on a farm near De Smet, SD, the sixth child of Harrison and Mabel Wolkow. She attended school at Erwin and De Smet and has lived in Benedict, ND, Toeterville, Akron, Missouri Valley and Logan, IA. The author worked in school and public libraries for more than 30 years. Her column has run in a growing number of Midwest newspapers for five years.
Each year the author has published the stories into a book. She has also published a historical fiction series, “Promises to Keep.” Her ten books are available on Amazon. Signed copies may be purchased at the Harrison County Welcome Center. Contact Kruempel at deannkruempelauthor@gmail.com.
