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