Notes from Jan

Take a Deep Breath

March 30, 2020

The doctor rests her stethoscope against my back saying,”Take a deep breath.”  It’s a routine part of my physical.

Not now.  Nothing’s routine these days, so I’ve rescheduled my annual physical and cancelled my membership in Weight Watchers. Until I rejoin, it’s up to me to practice social distancing from the refrigerator and pantry.

As for taking a deep breath, I never gave breathing much thought, until recently.

There’s nothing like a crisis to increase gratitude or grumbling,  and I’ve done both.

Still,  it feels like there’s something churning for good, not so  much a  yearning for yesterday as a longing for something better to emerge.  Cracks come  and some assumptions crumble.  Light enters and Hope says,” anything’s possible.”

We hear stories of people  doing what they can with what they have. They’re making music, waving  behind windows,  sewing masks,  applauding healthcare workers, for Goodness sake.

Some days hope comes with a laugh from family or friends.

1.A sign on a church bulletin board: “Wash hands and do not touch face” Hygenesis 24:7

2. A friend’s daughter observed this in a supermarket.  A man stood in the aisle, cart overflowing with toilet paper.  Upon seeing it, a woman berated him for hoarding and selfishness.  When she paused to take a breath, the man calmly said. “I agree it would be selfish but now I need to finish restocking the shelves.”

3. Have you wondered where all the toilet paper went?  “The roll was called up yonder.”

4. A piece of advice suggested, “to protect yourself just wear a mask and gloves when you go to the grocery store.”  Someone wrote back,”You lied.  When I got there everyone else had on clothes.”

Laughter, like hope and kindness, is highly contagious.

Lets spread some.

I’ll start.

Did you hear the one about?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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22 Comments

  • Reply Susan McMullen March 30, 2020 at 11:40 am

    A little boy in my neighborhood, standing about 10 ft. away yelled,”What does a sea monster eat?” I don’t know…
    “Fish and Ships!”

  • Reply Carol Taylor March 30, 2020 at 11:44 am

    Dear Jan
    Keep ‘ um coming. I’m totally stealing that number 4. I’m still laughing.

  • Reply Nancy Mering March 30, 2020 at 11:47 am

    Hearty laughing (David and me) in our living room just now, Jan. Sweet-tasting medicine for the current malady . . .

    Thanks, friend–

    • Reply Jan Carlberg March 30, 2020 at 1:28 pm

      Holy hilarity. Great to see your faces coming from Maine yesterday via Zoom church.

  • Reply dale March 30, 2020 at 11:48 am

    I once sent in ten puns to a contest, hoping that at least one of them
    would make someone laugh. But, unfortunately, no pun in ten did.

    We circulate such wisdom daily among our 102 residents in our condo association. Before the crisis, most of us had little to do; now we have more little.

    Blessings dear friend, Dale

    • Reply Jan Carlberg March 30, 2020 at 1:30 pm

      You’re always good for a laugh, Dale It’s kept us friends from a distance before distancing became a way of life. Praying for you all in Michigan.

  • Reply David L Smith March 30, 2020 at 11:49 am

    Do you know how to get straight A’s in school?
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    Use a ruler.

  • Reply Dan Russ March 30, 2020 at 12:16 pm

    Thanks, Jan., Kathy and I laughed out loud. You might enjoy our church humor page that is part of the virtual outreach of Christ Church Denver: https://www.christchurchlive.org/cv19humor.

    • Reply Jan Carlberg March 30, 2020 at 3:13 pm

      Thank you, Dan and Kathy. Happy to send some laughter to Colorado, out first home after Jud and I married. You have the visual aid for, “I look up to the mountains–does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord who made the heavens and the earth.” Psalm 121:1 NLT

  • Reply Nancy Sheys March 30, 2020 at 12:18 pm

    Keep smiling and keep looking up! He’s got the whole world in his hands!

  • Reply Jan Carlberg March 30, 2020 at 1:32 pm

    You, too.

  • Reply Carolyn Sylvester March 30, 2020 at 2:34 pm

    You had me chuckle when I read #4. Thanks.

  • Reply Sharon Wolgemuth March 30, 2020 at 9:19 pm

    Thanks Jan! I’m still laughing and sending it on to my girls! You and I have always had fun laughing.

    • Reply Jan Carlberg March 30, 2020 at 9:55 pm

      Laughter heals and connects. We need both at this time, don’t we, dear Sharon.

  • Reply RUSS BISHOP March 30, 2020 at 10:03 pm

    Hope and humor (top drawer!) Keep ’em coming. We’ll raise your salary…

  • Reply patrick mccary March 31, 2020 at 1:42 pm

    Loved it, Jan. Keep us laughing! Pat

    • Reply Jan Carlberg March 31, 2020 at 10:09 pm

      Just thinking of you and Diane makes me laugh. Fun times at MSU.

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