THE BEST MEDICINE for my days’ old injury of a broken left forearm came not in prescription pain medication, which I never picked up. Rather, it came in laughter, perhaps the best medicine of all.
First the backstory. On the day of my fall, Randy and I intended to head to our eldest daughter and son-in-law’s home an hour distant to babysit our granddaughter. Those same plans had been in place a week prior. But then I developed a bad upper respiratory infection and canceled. So I was especially excited about the rescheduled time with two-year-old Isabelle. Then I slipped on those rain-slicked wooden steps and broke my radius and…
Thankfully Izzy and her parents came to visit us the day after my fall. I wasn’t feeling all that great given only one hour of sleep Saturday night and a high pain level. But Izzy proved a good distraction. As we visited and Izzy played, she stumbled over a ball. Given the awkwardness of the tumble and her subsequent tears, I worried for a second. But she seemed ok, as in nothing broken.
One authentic broken arm, one not. Photo by Randy.
I asked Isabelle if she wanted her arm wrapped like Grandma. I expected a no. But Izzy said, yes, so Dr. Grandpa gathered supplies and wrapped her arm. Of course, we needed pictures, after Izzy pointed at my bandaged arm and then hers and counted, one, two.
We all laughed. Really laughed. Laughter is good. It releases endorphins, which my retired ER nurse friend Diane says promote healing. And I’m all about healing, especially the natural healing powers of a granddaughter’s sweet empathy.
Copyright 2018 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I can imagine how cute you two were together with your matching casts. Sweet laughter always makes things better. Heal quickly.
thank you. oh, we laughed.
A sweet story…I’m grateful for your sense of humor.
oh, i’ve cried, too. but i have to laugh, too.
Seriously this is unfortunate setback for such a devoted blogger, writer and photographer but glad you can find a little bit of humor to ease the pain and brighten your day. I am surprised at how much you could even write one handed the past few blogs.posted
i have to write. so even if the process of typing takes mega time, i will write. it’s losing photography that saddens me.
cute story! well….not the being sick and arm 😉 Yes, laughter is good and grandchildren are awesome!!!
Take care,
Laurie
thank you, laurie. grandchildren are the best.
What would we do without laughter?!! That is such a cute picture of the two of you in your ‘casts’. Anything that makes you feel better, even briefly, is a good thing. Feel better soon.
🔹 Ginger 🔹
laughter certainly helps. tomorrow i address a serious issue related to my fall.
Humor and laughter is the best medicine 🙂 Cute! Happy Day – Enjoy
agree fully
Aw, that’s sweet… and laughter is indeed the best medicine of all! I hope this doesn’t keep you laid up for long!
I expect my recovery to take all summer. I see my ortho doctor today, so will have a better time frame on healing then.
I keep forgetting the time difference! I’m in Germany yet another eight days (been here eight already) and it’s seven hours difference. Good morning to you! I hope you get a good report today! Keep us all informed.
germany. wow. enjoy.
It is I who will be avoiding the scales for a while… all this beer and fine food is giving me more of a robust look than I like! Ha ha!
ah, well…
Awe she is too precious
yes, she is
For cute and for fun!
what a minnesotan response..
Oh Audrey I’m sorry you have a summer injury! And that halts the photography for a bit. What else makes you laugh? Good time to crowd all laughter-producing activities together to knock your healing into high gear.
a repeat of last summer when i had a broken shoulder. no photography. a comedy show would make me laugh. mostly seeing my granddaughter makes me happy.
I love that Izzy wanted to be just like Grandma (without the actual break). I’m glad you had plenty of laughter in the midst of pain.
those darling grandchildren always bring joy.