| Your sense of humor is the lubricant to keep | | | | |
| your morale up and running, no matter what. | | | | do?"He became quiet. His brow furrowed as he |
| But this is so only if you choose to use | | | | looked up at the ceiling in silence. Slowly |
| it.Here is an example.I visited a patient in | | | | he gave words to his thoughts. "Well, he'd |
| the hospital where I was chaplain. Recovery | | | | wonder about these people, how insensitive |
| from his surgery was going slower than | | | | they were. Then he'd probably get a little |
| expected. The pain, confinement, and his | | | | angry."Indeed anger crept into his voice as |
| worry about the possibility of more surgery | | | | he continued, "What's with them," as he began |
| left him discouraged. Many friends sent him | | | | to get into Hawkeye's character. "This is no |
| get-well greetings. and while he appreciated | | | | picnic you know. They must think I'm taking |
| being remembered, he had a hard time with the | | | | a cushy vacation..."He stopped. His pursed |
| so-called humorous cardsThe sentiments were | | | | lips slipped into a sly smile, his mind |
| simply out of synch with the way he felt. He | | | | working. Then looking directly at me he said, |
| got the message that his friends were | | | | "If this was happening to Hawkeye, he would |
| insensitive to his situation. I listened as | | | | send these people cards that read, 'Having a |
| he talked about this Then I asked, "Who is | | | | wonderful time. Wish you were here!'" His |
| your favorite humorist ?" (I'll explain the | | | | mood change was pronounced, apparent and |
| reasons for this later) He looked at me, | | | | immediate. He laughed, "Hey! That's what I'm |
| puzzled but he thought for a moment. Then | | | | going to do."And indeed he did. His wife |
| naming Alan Alda's character role in the TV | | | | bought him several wish-you-were-here |
| sitcom M.A.S.H, said, "Hawkeye Pierce, | | | | greeting cards, and he sent them to selected |
| Why?""If Hawkeye were in this same situation | | | | friends...along with his own comments.Now |
| as you, what do you think he would say or | | | | take a close look at this. |