Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving our resistance to disease. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain. (Help-Guide.org)

These days, people have plenty to worry about-- the economy, the pandemic, our nation and the planet.  As a worrier myself, I can attest to the fact that worrying is a waste of time.  But I still worry. 

It would be much better to laugh.

And I’m not laughing much these days.  I need  a good dose of my kids and grandkids.  They make me laugh like crazy.  But at the moment we have no plans to see them. 

The other evening was different.  We gathered in the garden behind our condo, with three good friends, socially-distanced, for take-out pizza.  We did not talk about politics.  We did not talk about the pandemic.  We did not talk about Black Lives Matter. 

Instead we laughed. 

The chemistry worked that evening, and it was a welcome change from our habitual grumpiness.

I wonder if there’s a way we could bottle it.