angeladegroot

It was late and my big guy really should have been in bed but, in the spirit of summer, I decided to let him stay up and watch America’s Funniest Home Videos. As a ten-year old, nothing cracks him up quite so much as seeing kids (and grown men) wipe out while skateboarding, biking, skiing, rollerblading and fishing. He also giggles at babies with blankets, pretzels or pacifiers wedged between chubby butt cheeks. The misadventures of dogs and cats make him laugh hard enough to bring tears or hiccups.

“It’s a good thing there are commercials,” he said, clutching his stomach. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have time to breathe.”

Appreciating the humor through a ten-year-old’s eyes, watching him roll on the floor, hearing his belly laugh and gasps for breath, my heart ballooned until it hurt. I made a mental note to share more of these moments with my kids – to cherish them.

I also made a mental note to remember this moment so that I could tap into it when writing. A song, a smell, a memory, all trigger emotions which help you write painful, joyful, sad and embarrassing scenes. Feel it and express it.

Laugh so hard that you can’t breathe. It doesn’t get any better than that.