RobArt Penguin

Daily writing prompt

What’s something you believe everyone should know.

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My wife says I don’t laugh enough. We will be watching a show, presented as a comedy. She will be laughing. She will look at me, silent and stoic, maybe carrying a tight smile, and ask me “Why aren’t you laughing?” I will reply: “I am!” I might feel something is funny, but it takes a lot to get me to laugh outwardly. When I do, my wife, even my kids, take note. It’s such a rare event. But laughter is a great healer and connector. A long time ago, I was at my wife’s graduation. She was siting with her fellow graduates, so I was sitting alone in the crowd. I’m very shy and don’t strike up conversations easily. I was sitting with strangers. One of the keynote speakers gave a funny speech. It got the crowd laughing out loud, even me, and even the guy next to me. While we laughed we became at ease. We gave each other familiar glances, like friends do. We didn’t strike up much of a conversation, but after the ceremony we were much more friendly with each other, like we knew each other a little more. Laughter does that, opens people up, breaks down the barriers, let’s us see each other. I know its benefits, so I’m going to work on it.