Cliche, maybe

It may be cliche, but I am blessed to work with friends who have become family.   Today I laughed so hard I needed to go use my inhaler.  

It all started in our weekly staff meeting.   To be honest, I don’t even remember what had us laughing.   One thing was definitely the wait for a quote for a water spigot.   Now you may say, how could that ever be funny.   But until you have been in the rectory and listened to the conversations, I just cannot tell you the laughter this simple thing can bring.   For most people the wait for a quote is a long and drawn out process.   It can be frustrating and daunting.   In this rectory, it has brought laughter to the point of tears.  

Today I was called old, female and looking pregnant.   Again none sounds funny but all sound insulting.   But have you ever been with deep friends who can say things in a way, that while entirely true and honest, can make you laugh so hard you can’t breathe?    Well that was today.   And that was just a portion of the fun.   

Before Mass tonight I needed to use my rescue inhaler.   After all that laughter, my chest was really tight.   Now try reading with a mask on and it was a nightmare.   But day after day, I thank God he brought me here.   Day after day I thank him for not answering the prayers I had been praying.    If he had I would never have met, let alone been part of a family, a community, a staff that brings me joy and carries me through the trials of life.