Have you ever laughed so hard for so long that your face hurts? Sunday, we had a small celebration for our friend Jenna’s birthday. It wasn’t a big celebration or anything fancy. It was just a small gathering of friends who appreciate and adore Miss Jenna. Among those in attendance was our dear friend and neighbor Jess. Eric stated it best, “If you aren’t laughing when Jess is around, there is something wrong with you!”
Jess has an endless library of true account stories that usually begin with the phrase, “So, this one time I was dating a guy….” Anything can happen after that phrase is spoken, but you can guarantee it is hilarious. We spent the afternoon listening to “Jess stories,” eating good food, and laughing so hard our faces hurt. I love days like that; they are too few and far between. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard my face hurt.
Why don’t we spend more time doing things we enjoy with the people we enjoy? Jess literally lives down the hill from me, but I haven’t spent time with her in a year or so. That is criminal. It took nothing for me to put together a simple meal, and we all sat around our dining room table, sharing quality time. I felt so happy at the end of the day. I don’t know why I don’t host a gathering like that every week.
Most of the time, I get so caught up in daily life that I feel I don’t have the energy or time to entertain. Eric and I focus so much of our energy on the soap, the animals, the farm, and work that we rarely make the time to hang out with people we genuinely enjoy. After a day like Sunday, I realize what I am missing. It makes me want to prioritize the people I care about and put more effort into getting together. I want more days that I laugh so hard my face hurts.
I have spent quite a bit of time reflecting on my life as of late. Turning fifty in October is looming ahead, making me feel…I don’t know how to describe it…maybe like my time is limited. I don’t feel depressed or sad; I just realize that I am on the downward slope of this thing we call life. It kind of freaks me out that my dad passed away at fifty-six. If I follow the trajectory of his life, I only have six more years. That’s not very long. I realize I want more days like Sunday with the people who make me happy and laugh so hard my face hurts. I guess, at this stage of the game, I am beginning to understand what is important.
I love what we do here on our farm. I love the soap, working with my husband, and building something I am proud to call my own. I adore our animals and the life we share. However, I think I am missing a significant and essential piece of a fulfilling life by not spending time with the people I care about and enjoy. I believe I need to remedy that.
I hope, dear reader, you have more days that you laugh so hard your face hurts. Those days are very important. As always, stay safe, be smart, make time for those who make you laugh, and keep washing your hands.