Reblogged from 365 and Counting:

I can’t tell you how many times I ‘ve heard that over the course of my life and I’m pretty sure you’ve probably heard it more than a few times, too. Laughing has never been a problem for me, I’m blessed with a pretty good sense of humour and it’s stood me in good stead over the years.

Being able to laugh, especially at myself, has helped me get through the ups and downs that are part and parcel of all of our lives and I’m grateful for that. But it was when my mother passed away that I learned that it’s okay to smile and even chuckle during the most solemn of occasions.

After my mother’s funeral, the Rabbi came to the shiva to lead the evening prayer. When he was done, not long before he left, he shared a joke. It was funny and I did laugh, as did everyone else who had come to pay their respects, but my aunt and I were a bit startled and looked at each other sideways. I was a surprised, to be honest, that a Rabbi would have chosen that time to be funny.

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