Laughter Will Get Us Through

Do you remember life in America after 9/11? At first, everything was heavy, dark, and sad—and rightfully so. All the late-night shows took two weeks off out of respect for the loss of life. It was right for America to mourn and honor those who had lost family, friends, and co-workers. It was a dark time—a time of shock and disbelief, a time of fear of the unknown, and anger at the present situation.

But after two or three weeks, comedians began returning to television and the stage. They were cautious and still very respectful, but they started to bring humor back into our lives. They gave us a little piece of hope—a sliver of light at the end of the tunnel. They reminded us that life wasn’t always going to be this gray. In the privacy of our own homes, we were able to laugh again, to smile, and to feel happy—if only for a moment.

Flash forward 20 years: three days into quarantine for COVID-19, I already felt like I was losing my mind. I continued exercising, reading, praying, and working, yet I still felt on edge. Not knowing how long the quarantine would last left me feeling overwhelmed and, at times, hopeless.

But then I watched Darren Knight’s Southern Mamas Quarantined, and I literally laughed out loud for a good 15 minutes. I watched it over and over and shared it with friends. It felt so good to laugh—really laugh—to release all the pent-up frustration, anger, and fear tied to recent events. It was renewing and refreshing to let go of the seriousness, to not be consumed by sickness, death, and the fear of catching the virus.

It reminded me how much we need to smile—how much we need to share our funny stories of surviving quarantine, if for no other reason than to laugh at ourselves and realize how many of us are in the same situation.

Today, our world seems on the verge of implosion. The news breaks my heart daily, and I often feel as if my small contributions make little to no impact. It leaves me feeling discouraged. But even in these times, I turn to laughter. I love watching Josh Johnson, Leanne Morgan, and John Crist. They lift my spirits and bring me joy in a time of great distress.

So, to all the funny people out there—keep it up. Keep posting and sharing your stories. Please help us all as we navigate the unknown. Help us release those endorphins—and with them, some of the immense stress we’re all feeling.

Laughter could quite literally get us through