Humor

In the words of my 7 year old daughter, 'you look like a mom again, not like a grandma', as I've kicked my cane to the side - able to walk without it for the first time in 9 months!

Humor is an essential tool for navigating through a life lived within the world of the autoimmune diseases. Humor is essential for our loved ones, our children, as they navigate the life they live in the shadow of one living with an autoimmune disease. During the nine months that I walked with my cane at my side, my daughter Faith made several comments of how now I looked like a grandma. A few times she mentioned that it embarrassed her. I understood this. I couldn't expect my sudden change in the ability to walk on my own to not affect her. She was at this stage where she was learning what it was like to care what she looked like at school - something I also welcomed, mainly because the thought had never crossed her mind - she hadn't given much attention to brushing her hair. While I was glad that she was expressing her feelings, I was sorry that it bothered her. We talked, she understood. And we laughed. We laughed at the idea of me looking like a granny, as if I'd make a good one.

I once shared with a friend what Faith had said regarding my appearance as I walked with my cane. She said, 'Oh, so sad.' She didn't understand why I was ok with what Faith had said. I had an ah hah moment of why I was ok with this way of thinking on Faith's part. Humor. I must be able to maintain a sense of humor and be able and willing to laugh at myself. I had to be accepting of my daughters small attempt at humor, at laughing at mom, while expressing her feeling to me.

This is not a new concept. It has been known for years that being able to laugh at oneself can be refreshing, humbling us just a bit. And we've known that laughing actually kills pain. However, within our busy lives of navigating this new chapter in many of our lives, called living with an autoimmune disease, I do believe can experience an overload of ideas and information. Well wishers give us advice they saw on TV, a treatment a sister-in-law had success with. We do research ourselves. There is such a plethora of information coming from so many directions, that it is easy to forget that the simple act of laughter can be beneficial to us, and to our loves ones.

Walking without my cane has brought much happiness to my days this week. It was a big and scary step, but I did it and am filled with happiness from such an accomplishment! I've also spent time recently watching a few comedies with my kids, reading jokes from a Norwegian Joke book and letting Faith tickle me and give me her little funny thoughts about her mom. It helps her, and it helps me. So curl up with a good comedy, laugh with your kids, your family. Enjoy the benefit of a little natural pain relief from the act of laughter!