| I've been in the humor business for a long time, | | | | doesn't have to be through the use of humor. We |
| and I never get tired of putting a smile on | | | | all put smiles on people's faces in our own unique |
| somebody's face, even if it's just for a few | | | | way.Give a child a present at Christmas on his or |
| seconds. The sound of laughter is great. Being in | | | | her birthday, and watch that child open that gift. |
| the humor business started for my when I was | | | | The child's face lights up...a big smile on that child's |
| eleven years old, and I've been at it ever since. | | | | face! You get a warm feeling in your heart; |
| (knock on wood)We all know that laughter is the | | | | maybe a lump in your throat, and a couple of |
| best medicine, and it has been humor that has | | | | glassy eyes...right? It's a warm feeling you have all |
| helped me to cope through me darkest days, and | | | | over, and it nothing do to with humor, etc. It has |
| there have been many! Humor has been therapy | | | | to do with giving!Mother's and father's know all too |
| for me, and I use it though thick and thin! Every | | | | well, when a child brings a smile to their faces. |
| time I put a smile on somebody's face, it makes | | | | When that child says that first word; takes that |
| my day and gives me a lift. I know I have done | | | | first step; takes that first wobbly bike ride, and |
| something important to make someone happy | | | | starts school, etc. The parents get that smile and |
| and that's important to me.So, how does humor | | | | warm feeling all over!Aside from the parents, |
| help me to cope? Example: I was in the hospital | | | | school teachers, more than anyone else, know |
| for about a week recently, and I was admitted to | | | | the great satisfaction they get from seeing a |
| the intensive care unit, with bleeding in the | | | | student write that first sentence; do that first |
| stomach. I was conscious and the medical staff | | | | math problem; and pass that first test. And, that's |
| were doing tests, etc. After arrived, a nurse | | | | why I think school teachers do what they do...the |
| came into my room, carrying a clip-board, and she | | | | gratification of it all. They deal with the students |
| was going to ask me about 15 questions, so we | | | | everyday...up close and personal. But, everyone |
| got started.Every time she would ask me a | | | | puts a smile on someone's face in their own way. |
| question, I would answer it with a silly, ridiculous | | | | For example:Farmers and ranchers put food on |
| answer in an attempt to make her laugh, and | | | | our tables and that makes us happy, right? What |
| then I would follow up with a straight and serious | | | | would we do without the truckers and delivery |
| answer, etc. It was a little game I played with | | | | people who put that food on the table? Engineers |
| her, and she seemed to enjoy it. The questions | | | | who make our lives more comfortable, and all of |
| and answers went something like this:Nurse: "Mr. | | | | our useful gadgets. All the people who make all |
| Aragon, do you smoke?"Jerry: "Only when I'm on | | | | the goodies we enjoy...bake goods, ice cream, etc. |
| fire!"Nurse: "Mr. Aragon, do you drink?"Jerry: "Drink | | | | The medical people who keep us healthy. The |
| what? Carrot juice, milk...what? No, I don't drink | | | | transportation people who get us from one place |
| anymore...I don't drink any less,either!" | | | | to another. And, what would we do without the |
| (Gotcha!)Nurse: "Mr. Aragon, are you allergic to | | | | garbage people who make us happy, when they |
| anything?"Jerry: "Only to a nosey nurse, who | | | | take the garbage away, and keep insects from |
| keeps asking me dumb questions and won't let | | | | spreading disease. The construction people who |
| me get a little restwhile I'm on my death | | | | built our houses, apartments, and work places, |
| bed!"Nurse: "Mr. Aragon, do you have any | | | | etc. Were you happy when you moved into that |
| pain?"Jerry: "Yes, I have a pain in the butt, and | | | | new house? Retailers, service people, financial |
| guess who's causing it?"The nurse had a great | | | | people who help us in so many different ways, |
| sense of humor, and we had a good time! | | | | and the list goes on and on!I worked for an |
| Anyway, the questions and answers went | | | | engineering company for over ten years. And, if |
| something like that. I remember one question | | | | there is a piece of metal on the table; wire; |
| when I managed to have the nurse in "stitches," | | | | epoxy; glue; wire mesh, it wasn't much by itself. |
| get it?" Stitches! Hospital...nurse...surgeon..HELLO! (I | | | | But, put all these things together and now you |
| wonder why so many people think my humor is | | | | have measuring devices that do research on: |
| so dry and off the wall) After the questions and | | | | earthquakes; volcanoes; hurricanes; lightning; flood |
| answers, the nurse disappeared for the rest of | | | | control; airline safety and on and on. And, when I |
| the day.Late in the afternoon, and before the day | | | | worked in engineering, I always felt I was |
| shift was over, the nurse came back into my | | | | contributing to make things better for humans, |
| room, and gave my a big hug! "What was THAT | | | | animals, and the environment!So, people in |
| for?" I asked. "That's for making me laugh this | | | | America share and give of themselves in every |
| morning and making my day," she said. The big | | | | occupation and profession. Everyone has |
| hug made my day, too! And, this is an example | | | | something to share, give, and contribute to make |
| of how humor helps me to cope, and sometimes | | | | things better in America. Everyone has a passion |
| under serious conditions like being in a | | | | that makes that person happy, and hopefully that |
| hospital.Nobody has cornered the market on | | | | passion makes others happy as well.My passion |
| humor, not the most powerful or wealthy person | | | | just happens to be humor, and I take it |
| on earth. All of us have made sombody laugh at | | | | everywhere I go. Humor for me, is not an 8 to 5 |
| one time or another, and we all know how great | | | | job...it's 24/7! I work all holidays and never take |
| it feels. The gratification from putting a smile on | | | | any time off...and, I love it! |
| someone's face cannot be measured. And, it | | | | |