tentions) said to us. And although we are not ready for stand-up comedy yet, our humor has helped to save our marriage.

"Just laughing at something relaxes people and makes them forget their troubles for a few minutes," claims Pauline Russell of Duke University Medical Center. " Laughing provides a moment of

I never believed how beneficial to my health laughter was until tragedy hit my family. Then, laughter kept me from orbiting into the land of oblivion. Laughter never sounded so sweet. In the midst of sorrow, a good cry is expected, but a hearty laugh can keep us afloat. We’ve all heard the proverb, “laughter doeth good like a medicine” (notably a good-tasting kind) and writing the humor of life gives a double dose of the good tasting stuff.

Inevitably some will scratch their heads and wonder how humor writing can be something to consider when the pain of sorrow from a loss is so consuming. People not in tragedy, envision those in pain only able to cry and soak up tissues. They are correct; while loss of a loved one, a divorce or an illness do produce countless tears, being able to laugh and record the humor are therapeutic to healing.

I married my husband for his humor. While some marry for money or that house on the beach, I was drawn to this man’s ability to create an atmosphere of laughter. After the painful death of our four-year-old son, Daniel, we needed humor like a buffer from the agonizing wounds in our hearts. We learned to laugh together instead of continuously growing angry at the silly things people (albeit with good intentions) said to us. And although we are not ready for stand-up comedy yet, our humor has helped to save our marriage.

"Just laughing at something relaxes people and makes them forget their troubles for a few minutes," claims Pauline Russell of Duke University Medical Center. " Laughing provides a moment of r

good like a medicine” (notably a good-tasting kind) and writing the humor of life gives a double dose of the good tasting stuff.

Inevitably some will scratch their heads and wonder how humor writing can be something to consider when the pain of sorrow from a loss is so consuming. People not in tragedy, envision those in pain only able to cry and soak up tissues. They are correct; while loss of a loved one, a divorce or an illness do produce countless tears, being able to laugh and record the humor are therapeutic to healing.

I married my husband for his humor. While some marry for money or that house on the beach, I was drawn to this man’s ability to create an atmosphere of laughter. After the painful death of our four-year-old son, Daniel, we needed humor like a buffer from the agonizing wounds in our hearts. We learned to laugh together instead of continuously growing angry at the silly things people (albeit with good intentions) said to us. And although we are not ready for stand-up comedy yet, our humor has helped to save our marriage.

"Just laughing at something relaxes people and makes them forget their troubles for a few minutes," claims Pauline Russell of Duke University Medical Center. " Laughing provides a moment of

on those in pain only able to cry and soak up tissues. They are correct; while loss of a loved one, a divorce or an illness do produce countless tears, being able to laugh and record the humor are therapeutic to healing.

I married my husband for his humor. While some marry for money or that house on the beach, I was drawn to this man’s ability to create an atmosphere of laughter. After the painful death of our four-year-old son, Daniel, we needed humor like a buffer from the agonizing wounds in our hearts. We learned to laugh together instead of continuously growing angry at the silly things people (albeit with good intentions) said to us. And although we are not ready for stand-up comedy yet, our humor has helped to save our marriage.

"Just laughing at something relaxes people and makes them forget their troubles for a few minutes," claims Pauline Russell of Duke University Medical Center. " Laughing provides a moment of

, I was drawn to this man’s ability to create an atmosphere of laughter. After the painful death of our four-year-old son, Daniel, we needed humor like a buffer from the agonizing wounds in our hearts. We learned to laugh together instead of continuously growing angry at the silly things people (albeit with good intentions) said to us. And although we are not ready for stand-up comedy yet, our humor has helped to save our marriage.

"Just laughing at something relaxes people and makes them forget their troubles for a few minutes," claims Pauline Russell of Duke University Medical Center. " Laughing provides a moment of

tentions) said to us. And although we are not ready for stand-up comedy yet, our humor has helped to save our marriage.

"Just laughing at something relaxes people and makes them forget their troubles for a few minutes," claims Pauline Russell of Duke University Medical Center. " Laughing provides a moment of refreshment. The stimulation you get after a hearty laugh is helpful." Journalist Peggy O'Farrell states that among laughter's benefits are the "...reduction of stress hormones, including cortisol, which in turn enhances the immune, cardiovascular and even digestive systems." She adds that findings have led researchers to conclude that laughter should be part of a daily health routine — just like exercise and healthy eating.

How do you see the humor life has to offer? First you have to look for the humor in everyday living. Put on your humor antenna so that you will pick up on the humor that is all around you. It’s there.

It was there just the other night at my house. My husband and beagle puppy were seated in front of the TV watching the Super Bowl. I was in the middle of writing an informative paragraph to an editor about my own ezine, Tributes. I included how my ezine has been an instrumental tool for me on this journey of grief and how reaching fellow bereaved parents through it helps with my own healing. In the midst of editing my paragraph, my 11-year-old daughter ran out onto our newly-built deck with the brand new furniture. A few seconds later she announced she had thrown up. “On the deck?” I yelled from my post at the comp