Welcome to Monday, dear reader. Sadly, it was a rather somber weekend at the farm. Just know that we are all okay and will be okay, and it is a highly unusual and private matter. Amidst the sadness, we had little moments of joy and a reprieve from the anxiety. I made The Bean and her beau the TikTok trendy Brrr baskets for Christmas. A Brrr basket is like an Easter basket but winter-related. I filled the kid's Brrr baskets with matching pajamas and slippers, hot cocoa, matching mugs, a variety of card games, jigsaw puzzles, candy, snacks, scented candles, and self-care products (Seriously, her parents make self-care products it's only fitting).
This weekend, the Brrr baskets were a welcome distraction. We broke out the snacks, made hot cocoa, and played one of the card games together as a family. The chosen card game was Truth or Dare. I am a reluctant game player. Again, I believe this is just part of my boring, introverted personality, but honestly, I would rather quietly read than play a game. I know I am not fun. My family and I were pleasantly surprised at just how much fun this new game was for everyone.
Once we mastered the rules, and it took a few rounds before we all caught on, we had a good time. I don't think it was coincidental that the most outlandish dares always involved me. I had my head wrapped in toilet paper like a mummy and a mustache drawn under my nose with a Sharpie. The Bean had to reenact a scene from her favorite television show playing all the parts, Pook-A-Dook had to go out on the porch and yell three times, "I do believe in fairies!" and my bib overall wearing wonder buns had to bust out his favorite dance moves. At one point, I laughed so hard I couldn't catch my breath. It was good for all of us to have an opportunity to shake the heaviness of the happenings and laugh together.
After we finished several rounds of our game, we felt a little lighter. Although laughter did not cure our sadness, it helped us get through a complex and emotional situation. Laughter is the best medicine. With our crew, you'd better have a good sense of humor, or you'll be in trouble. I'm generally a good sport and do an exceptional job laughing at myself. When you screw up as much as I do, it's good not to take yourself too seriously. If it gives the people I love a reason to giggle and forget about their grief for a few minutes, go ahead and wrap me in toilet paper and draw handlebar mustaches on me until your little heart is content. Of course, there is visual proof of the shenanigans that occurred.
On this chilly, grey January day, stay safe, be smart, laugh when possible, sometimes laughing is all you can do to keep from crying, and keep washing your hands.
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