A WEEK OUT FROM BILATERAL STRABISMUS eye surgery to realign my eyes, I am feeling like most people post-surgery. I want this healing and recovery process to move faster. I feel as if I’ve stalled after an initial sprint. So it goes.
In the meantime, this past weekend brought some much-needed laughter into my life. Laughter is healing. It was also the theme of Global Game Jam, a week-long world-wide game development event. My son, who lives and works half a country away in greater Boston, participated, working with three others to create the video game “Addicted to Laughter.” That followed the event theme of “Make Me Laugh.” I love that theme because we need more laughter in this world.
I’ve personally needed extra laughter in the past week during my recovery. Laughter is a good diversion when dealing with eye pain/irritation, headaches, insomnia, distorted/blurry/double vision and a brain that is working over-time to adapt to my newly-aligned eyes. Yes, side effects should lessen, but in the meantime…
Randy and I have been binge-watching a DVD collection of Blue Collar TV sketches by comedians Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy and Bill Engvall. Some of the content is more redneck and offensive than I like. But all in all, the trio made me laugh. Kudos to Randy for choosing this when I asked him to “find something funny” to check out from our local public library. I’d rather be reading, but my ability to read for any length of time is currently limited.
But I have read, and appreciate, the many get well cards I’ve received, including one from my cousin Diane. It’s sunny yellow with smiley face art. Simply reading the words and seeing all those printed smiley faces make me smile and laugh aloud at some of the statements (like turning cartwheels) in this “The Healing Power of the Smiley Face” themed card. And, bonus, I’ve always loved smiley faces and once had a vivid yellow smiley face bulletin board hanging in my lime green basement bedroom with candy striped carpet. Ah, sweet memories of teenage years…
I must sidetrack here for a moment to share that my dear family of three adult children, two sons-in-law and two grandchildren sent me the most stunning flowers Thursday afternoon. I cannot begin to tell you how much that bouquet and the enclosed message lifted my spirits. I felt as if a million smiley faces were floating in a thought balloon around my head.
I felt the same late Saturday afternoon after a visit from dear friends Tammy and Billie Jo. I haven’t seen Tammy in several years; she and her family moved to northwestern Minnesota. When Tammy walked in the kitchen door, we embraced in a fierce hug. And I realized just how much I’ve missed her. I nearly cried at the joy of seeing her again. And so the three of us talked and laughed and talked and laughed and talked and laughed. Laughter heals.
My grandkids often make me laugh with their observations. Isaac, 5, didn’t let Grandma down after I texted a photo to his mom, my eldest daughter Amber, on Saturday. The day prior, Amber sent an image of Isaac outside the crocodile exhibit at the Minnesota Zoo. So when Randy and I viewed an exhibit by Faribault wildlife photographer Dave Angell at the Paradise Center for the Arts Saturday morning, I knew I needed a photo of me with Angell’s photo of alligators in the wilds of Africa. (Angell’s one gifted photographer.)
Isaac was not impressed by my efforts. “Those aren’t real!” he told his mom. I read his response and laughed aloud. Laughter heals. Oh, yes, it does.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
you have a wonderful team of laugh and love therapists all around you, and there is nothing better for healing. I think you could write a book about all you went through on your illness, treatments, and recovery, it is a powerful story that you are still in the midst of. best to you –
You are right. I have a great support team of “therapists.” I am grateful for them. I am grateful for you. 🙂
Great to see your smiling face. Those flowers are stunning!, keep healing!
Thank you, dear Beth Ann. The flowers are from Costco. I was impressed. Thank you also for your Spoonful of Comfort giftbox! 🙂
sounds like your family is your healing therapy! So nice to hear you are being spoiled after your surgery. prayers for continual healing. Your flowers were beautiful. :)😊😊😊😊😊😊😊 kathy
Kathy, all those smiley faces in your comment didn’t go unnoticed. Thank you! And thank you for your prayers and for caring so much.
Ah it sounds like the little guy has a great sense of humor, and how can he possibly that old already. Praying for you to have a speedy recovery. That doesn’t found like a fun surgery to recover from.
Isaac is always coming up with great quotes. Recently when his older sister was feeling sad about leaving family in Arizona, Isaac told her to smile more, that she would feel better. He’s wise beyond his five years. Yes, recovering from this surgery will take time. My brain is working hard to adapt to my newly-aligned eyes.
that he is. Most adults don’t know that they can improve their moods simply by being pleasant. Hopefully you are feeling better this week.
I like your advice of “simply being pleasant.” I AM having a better week. Just had my post op visit this afternoon and my surgeon is pleased with the results of my eye surgery thus far. I say “thus far,” because it will take about three months before everything heals, settles, etc and final results are known. But for now, all looks (pun intended) great!
You are doing all the right things for healing…love & laughter (and rest). Blessings to you this day.
Awww, thank you, Valerie.
Audrey, very nice picture of you and the flowers! My compliments. If I were your hubby, I would have that framed and placed in a special spot in the house. I understand your fears of eye surgery. I would probably have backed out risking going blind. You are brave, very brave! Keep smiling, laughing and keep that sense of humor. I watched a very frightful movie the other day (having lived under similar circumstances and the dark humor broke me up as I recognized it for what it was. In our darkest hours, God can give us some humor, even if it is what we call “dark” humor to lighten our loads. My Best Wishes and prayers for you recovery,
Awwww, Gunny, you are so sweet. Your words are balm for my spirit this morning. I know you’ve dealt with much in your life, including the recent loss of your wife. God bless you as you continue to bless me with your reminders of God’s faithfulness and with your encouraging comment.
Loved the joy found in this post! 😊 You are such an inspiration!
I’m trying to find something joyful each day in these early days of my healing and recovery. Thank you for your kind words.