Twists & Turns: Let's See If We Can Find a Smile

of people are still experiencing shock, pain and loss from the devastating tornados that ripped through the South and particularly southern Mississippi in March.

Many prayers have been sent Heavenward, and my heart goes out to those who have suffered great losses.

But, having said that, and knowing of the resilience of Southerners, I feel confident in saying that people will pull up their bootstraps and move forward again. Things will continue and life will go on, albeit without some of our friends, neighbors or loved ones.

This is why I think it is time for a little levity. Perhaps a chuckle to lighten our loads. Afterall, laughter is one of the vital steps in a healing process.

My mother used to make us all it down after a death or any major loss in the family and hold what she called a ‘postmortem’. Now, in Latin this means ‘after death’, and in medical terms it usually signifies an autopsy, but mama used it as a time to let us all talk about the good side of things or persons that we had lost. We usually ended up crying but also laughing as memories flooded in.

So, let me offer a few things that might bring a smile to your face as any personal recoveries begin.

Why do we have 35 million laws to try and enforce ten commandments?

Do you know why there are no committees in Heaven? Well, when God was creating the animals, the angels formed a committee because they wanted to help. After much discussion, God let them create one animal. And what did the illustrious angelic committee make? A platypus. It has the bill of a duck, the fur of an otter, the tail of a beaver and the feet of a frog. It also has a spur on an ankle that delivers painful venom. Sounds like that committee put in a little bit of a lot of different creatures.

A southern hunting party was hopelessly lost. “I thought you said you were the best guide east of the Mississippi River,” one of the tired and frustrated hunters growled. “I thought I was too, sir, but now I think we’re in Canada.”

The IRS received a letter from a man who said he had cheated on his taxes, and it had been bothering him so much he could not sleep. There was a check enclosed for $35 with another note which read, “The next time I can’t sleep I’ll send more.”

I told my husband, Teddy, that I wasn’t myself today and he said, “Enjoy it, it won’t last forever.” And yes, we’re still married.

When you get down, just remember there is a better time coming and its name is lunch. (Or a nap. You can insert your own definition of a better time). RICKY NOBILES CARTOONS, SEE A2 & A3 HIGH-TECH WEIGH-INS RENDER TRADITIONAL TRUCK SCALES OBSOLETE IN MISSISSIPPI by Mac Gordon, GAZETTE Contributing Editor TWISTS & TURNS: LET’S SEE IF WE CAN FIND A SMILE BY JUDY CAUSEY LOVE, SOUTHEAST ALABAMA CONTRIBUTING EDITOR