Now that I have been putting so many of my memories to writing, I sometimes get the feeling that people are expecting me to be funny. I really appreciate humor and wit. I look for them, and I laugh a lot–hence the name Laugh With Us Blog. In a crowd, however, I am not usually the one telling funny stories. I am the one laughing at other people’s stories. Or I may be the one embarrassing myself some way and thus creating stories that I can tell later to my trusted friends–or now (gasp) to anyone who is interested enough to take the time to read about them. I am not the clown; I am the klutz. So am I funny? No, I think most of my acquaintances would consider me to be quiet. And my close friends? . . . . I don’t know if they think I’m funny. If they do, it’s because they have taken the time to see life from my perspective. It’s not so much that I’m funny as that I find what is funny in life.
I never thought I had a talent. When my parents would tell people about my siblings and their talents, I would listen until it was my turn. Then they would say, “Esther? Esther enjoys life.” It never sounded like much compared to the talents of others, but I have come to really appreciate it. I think being able to enjoy life is a gift from God! My favorite verse has always been Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart does good like a medicine but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
It’s my strong belief that us “quite types” are mostly closet comedians — we just don’t like to have the spotlight shown on us in a crowd.
Blogs give us a voice — a place to express our humor without fear of real rejection. At least, that’s my take on it.
It’s obvious to me you enjoy life, Esther, and have your own special way of describing humorous events, especially about your children, that’s uniquely you. I enjoy reading your blog — I often smile and chuckle at your posts. 🙂
It’s one thing to be funny and another to be fun. You are a lot of fun!
I think “enjoying life” is not only a talent but a gift! You have the rare ability to enjoy even the goofy circumstances in life and see the humor in them. You are a wonderful writer. Most of the time your blog makes me laugh out loud. Even when you are writing on serious subjects, your blog is enjoyable to read.
I think that you have the wonderful ability to see the joy and humor in life. That with being a good writer makes for wonderful, funny stories. Humor is all around us but not everyone can translat that to the written word and still make people laugh.
I love that verse too!
I think enjoying life is DEFINTITELY a talent.
I think if you enjoy life, it’s a given that you’ll be funny. I mean there is so much stuff to laugh about!
Well written! I have so much I could say in response to this post, but I won’t for fear of detracting from the post itself. Keep adding life to the weary hearts out there in cyberspace …
well done, and i think you’re funny!
I’m always amazed at how many comedians are actually very quiet people. Maybe it’s because they sit back and observe life that they can truly appreciate the funny things that happen. You definitely have a gift for seeing the humor in situations and appreciating life – and what an awesome gift that is!
I’ll qualify my comment by letting it be known that I was born the day they invented dirt.
Reading your blog is the next best thing to being young again. Being a good listener is just as important as being funny. I have found nothing in your family musings that would garner any kind of apology. Keep your notes and write a book when you can!
ok, I know you weren’t trying to be funny but when I got to the quote from your mother I had to laugh! Really, who doesn’t love being around people like you who ENJOY life!
You have funny moments but also many very interesting, very endearing stories. I appreciate you sharing a piece of your life with me.
I know what you mean by being quiet but seeing the funny-ness aound you. Enjoying life is most certainly a blessing and very wise of your parents to recognise this in you:)
Have a fabulous day.
What a wonderful blessing your parents gave you! Enjoying life sometimes is not taken as seriously as other gifts or talents.
I believe that some people have the oppposite gift, the gift of envisioning the bad, the danger and the potential problems. Some call them pessimists, but I think that we need to see life from different perspectives, and that’s why we need support communities, groups, friends, family (in reverse order), to see from others’ eyes too.
I also can see the funny side of things, but this is not as natural as it is seeing the difficulties to be tackled. This doesn’t make me a pessimist, but a warrior. As long as we appreciate life as THE GIFT and we do our share gracefully and freely (as you do), we bless others with our gifts and are blessed by others’.
I don’t have a way of saying funny things. People always say to me that “I guess you had to be there”
IF you can write things so they sound funny — you have a talent… 🙂
It’s an AMAZING gift to be one who enjoys life truly and easily! It shows a level of gratitude for what you have and that life’s challenges are in perspective within God’s grander plan for us. Our priest is new to our church and he asked each of us on Vestry (our management board for a parish) what we felt we brought to the group. I told him humor. I said I would get the job done, but humor is one of the best ways to connect, build rapport, break down barriers, and revel in one another. Great post : )
One of my closest friends is a rather quiet person. From the outside people seem to view her as quiet and reserved, a true “lady.” They have no idea how funny she can be when they get to know her. She looks at life in her own unique way and keeps me laughing.
I am the one telling the funny stories I guess, because I love to laugh and to make others laugh. I especially love to laugh at the ridiculous situations that I sometime find myself in….it’s better to laugh than to be annoyed, haha! Thanks for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday!
I don’t think I’m funny either. I’m not the clown, or the klutz, but I’m definitely the quiet one. I hung out with a girl in high school who was so witty and always making everyone laugh. I always wanted to be the funny one, like her, but I’m okay now with how I am.
I am a klutz when it comes to words. I think that’s why I so often keep silent until I feel comfortable around people.
You have a heart like my mom…and she has always been one of my all time favorite people! Enjoying life….YES!~ Definitely a gift!