I was more than excited to give our daughter-in-law Sara her Christmas present. I had done my research, I had called Ty to verify that she indeed did not have one and that it was something she could use. Ty was sure she would enjoy it, and the purchase was made.

I didn’t have enough wrapping paper to wrap it, so into a beautiful large plastic bag it went. When the kids came for Christmas the guessing game started as to who got the big present, each wanting it to be their own.

The time came and the gift was handed to her. Sara carefully opened the big bag and gently smiled and said, “This is awesome, it is almost exactly like the one you gave me for my birthday last year”. The room grew quiet and each eye looked at me, waiting for my response. As the reality set in, I could feel it coming, one of those laughs that comes clear from the bottom of your soul. The kind that once it explodes you can hardly breathe. Yes, I had purchased a large roaster oven for Sara for her birthday and for whatever reason I had totally forgotten.

As the comedy of errors became clearer and clearer the laughter grew even louder. My son didn’t remember I had gotten her one either, and he had just eaten a Thanksgiving turkey expertly prepared in the birthday roaster oven. If that doesn’t make you laugh what will?

My granddaughters started hooting and hollering, and our daughter, yes our Dodi, went completely to the floor with tears streaming down her face. We laughed and we laughed. It set the whole tone for our Christmas, one of joy and laughter.

I could have been mortified and apologetic and started back tracking, but what good would it have done. I messed up and in an awesome way. Oh how I think we have forgotten how to laugh, and not only laugh, but to laugh at ourselves. We take ourselves very seriously and are so easy to take offense at the least little provocation, how about if we learn to laugh again. Give it a try, watch the joy spread.

Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine but a crushed spirit dries up bones.