Second Row, Piano Side: Mama Taught Me To Enjoy A Good, Belly Laugh

During my early childhood years, I heard more about the "wrath" of God than I did the "love" of God.  Mama must have thought she was doing God a favor when she spanked me. 

She often quoted, "Spare the rod, spoil the child."

She often sent me "pickin'."  Not the kind I enjoy today, that's for sure!  Ever had to "pick your switch?"

It had to be just right-not too thick-not too thin.  But thin enough to sting.  We had a weeping willow tree in the front yard.  The limbs on that tree resembled a whip-no can do!  Even mama, knew that was corporal punishment!

No, there was the ever-loving "switch" tree that we knew was acceptable. 

Thank God for forgiveness.  My mama, who was my greatest adversary as a child, became my best adult friend.  Though the years of tears, she taught us laughter. 

Mama knew the importance of a good, belly laugh.  You know, the kind that makes your belly jiggle.  The shake-rattle-and-roll giggle.  Mama was mightily endowed if you know what I mean and everything jiggled when she wiggled.  We could laugh just by watching her laugh.

She always sang silly songs going to Granny's on Fridays.  

The Pelican Song went like this...

As I was walking through the zoo one day- HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA

I saw a great, big pelican-HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA

His feet were like a pancake and his mouth was like a trap,

And when he opened it to eat, there was an awful gap.

Oh, how I laughed-HA,HA,HA,HA, HA,

HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA

HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA

HA,HA, HA, HA, HA, HA

HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA

HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA

HA, HA, HA, HA

HA,HA,HA,HA

HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA.

(The Ha-Has had a tune and before the song ended, we were all in stitches)

Froggy Went a Courntin and He Did Ride (with some kind of strange throat-scratching sound)

was another fun song.

We laughed during prayer time. Yes, we laughed in church.  We laughed before going to bed and we awoke to laughter as daddy sang, "Swing, low, sweet cherrioooooooo, coming for to carry me home." 

Summer of '68.

Missing you, Mama, this Mother's Day Week.  Thanks for the laughter.