I suspect that parents, dealing with their kids being home from school over the holidays, might choose to differ on the “soul-healing power of kids.” Words like “frustrated” or “challenged” or “driven berserk” are a few of the more polite descriptive words that might come to mind when big people spend school vacation time with the little people in their lives.

Laughter is something else altogether.  It erupts out of humor, and humor is a surprising shift in perception, a sudden, jarring change that points out the incongruity in the situation. It is the juxtaposition of two very different ideas linked by a punch line, which suddenly makes us aware of the absurdity. Sometimes it’s a pun on words.

I picked you up from school today as usual. You looked pretty sharp with your new jacket but I knew enough not to call attention to your appearance. I asked the standard dumb question, How was school today, big guy? You gave the safe answer. “Good.” I knew better. There were two “f’s” on your latest progress report but I didn’t want to go there at the moment.

Dear President Obama,
I know you’re getting many recommendations on Afghanistan. Democrats and Republicans, Generals and politicians, liberals and conservatives are giving you advice. I’m about to add mine.

“This is a nightmare,” said my young friend. “The hospital called me last night asking if they could take my mom off life support. I told them I needed to talk to my younger brother and sister first. His voice broke over the phone. “I don’t know what to do.”

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. For many Christians it was the beginning of Lent.