Every morning when I reluctantly roll out of bed, the first thing I do is squeeze the hand of Carolyn’s little Achy Breaky man sitting on the dresser and he sings Achy Breaky Heart. Wow! That’s the way to start the day — with a song.
I walk into my cluttered office and am surrounded by pictures, posters, singing figurines, puzzles, bobble heads, books, etc. Push a button and Louie Armstrong moves his head back and forth as he sings “Hello Dolly.” Another button and the “yes man” agrees with you on any question you ask him, such as: “I’m the smartest man in this room.” He answers, “I couldn’t agree with you more completely” or “When you’re right, you’re right.”
Activate George Bush and he recites a boo boo from one of his speeches. Hillary sings the song, “My name is Hillary” to the tune of “My Country tis of Thee.” The three stooges beat each other over the head with golf clubs to music with some verbal “why you,” “why you,” “why you” added. My office is a zoo. Why are all of these in my office?
My children all know that I am a kid at heart and that I like puzzles, singing figurines and anything that makes you laugh. That generally is what they give me as presents for my birthday and Christmas. Of course, the best present I ever received in my life, my wife Carolyn, is always laughing.
I believe I missed my calling by not being a clown. I get such a big kick out of making people laugh. I am a chip off the old block as my dad enjoyed the same thing. He once stood on his head in the post office when he was 89 years old to make them laugh. I can hear him now laughing and telling George West, “Glenmore is not a bit afraid of work, he will lay down and sleep right next to it.” Ouch!
I guess that I will never grow up and really hope I never do. I still like to read the comics especially Blondie, Beatle Bailey, Hagar the Horrible, Barney Google, BC and the Wizard of Id. Some of my favorite things to do are ride roller coasters, go carts, ski lifts and Segways. I get a thrill out of parasailing, riding in open cockpit bi-planes, white water river rafting and snow skiing.
Besides laughter, music always has been a staple in my life and has lifted my spirits many times. When I get in my car headed on an errand or to a golf club I hit the CD button and Frank Sinatra sings, “What is America to Me.” It is a beautiful song and makes me realize how lucky I am to have been born an American and have all the freedoms we have in speech, religion, business and personal affairs.
Singing has always been a big part of my life. In grade school, I always loved our singing sessions in music. In high school, I sang in the Glee Club a couple of years and then sang in the All State Chorus a couple of times. Later, in World War II, I was in the U.S. Coast Guard Choir for six months when I was stationed at Manhattan Beach in New York in 1943. We were on the same program several times with Broadway actresses, actors and singers. Two that I remember were Kate Smith and Frank Sinatra before Frank became so famous. I sing in the shower and I love karaoke.
At 86 years of age, I realize that I do not have many more years left in this beautiful old world so I must make the most of it. I am starting to assume that same old devil may care attitude that I had before I was headed overseas in World War II and into the unknown. I know that in the not so distant future I will again be headed into the unknown and only hope that God will be with me. In the meanwhile, I will enjoy life, my family, my friends, nature and everything around me. I do not need anything more than this plus love, hugs, a roof over my head and a meal on the table to keep me happy. Singing and laughter puts icing on that cake and yes, makes life a blast.
Final thought: Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming, “Wow! What a ride!”
Until next time, live, love, laugh and learn.
Viewpoints
Singing, laughing makes life a blast
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