February 22, 2021 – “Humor At Our House!”

February 22, 2021 – I Remember When…

Humor in our Family

         What is humor?  The ‘groan’ kind, the fun pun kind of play on words? Or the ‘just because’ kind of humor and re-runs of humor.  The gates of humor seemed to be unleashed at ‘dinner time’ – which we always called supper – was always filled with laughter and teasing.

When we drove to Oklahoma to see the Siemens grandparents, they decided to take us all to the restaurant.  The three boys all wanted to order steak, because their Dad loved steak.

When the plates of steak dinners were set before the boys, one of them lifted and unfurled the white linen napkin laying by his plate and asked, “What is this for?”

I knew I had neglected their education.  When we returned home, we instituted the three-course Friday night dinners with napkins.  We made the rule to engage in pleasant conversation.   Then began the teasing and funny happenings began. Afterward our dinner, our family capped off the evening with roller skating as a family.

It seemed like a great trade and everyone seemed pleased.  This was the beginning of our rollicking supper evening with a friendly competition to see who could make their Dad laugh.

Dan, Paul, and Tim began more and more challenging bits of humor. A thirty- minute meal would fill with laughter.  Often, our Anna watched and listened, and said quietly, “I don’t get it!”.  But she always enjoyed the laughter.

On one Halloween evening, prepared with a bowl of candy for trick and treaters, I wondered if anyone would come to our small farm. I didn’t notice when it became so quiet in the house, and then I heard a knock at the door.  I wondered who that could be.  I opened the door.  There kneeled three little boy who held out their hands, saying, “Trick or Treat” in high pitched voices.

Re-runs were not exempt from their source of humor. I noticed the milk was quickly disappearing from the noon table, and behind me, I heard, “Shhh, Shhh!”

As I turned, one said, as they passed the gallon jug around, “Don’t drink the milk!  It’s spoiled!”  The Spanky Gang was revived.

When I took a child psychologist course, I couldn’t remember the answer to one question, so I thought about what my children would do and gave that answer.  It was wrong, but the teacher said I must know so bright children.

Then I remembered when Dan at almost 4 years, came into the house, asking how to get the one tricycle away from his brother.  I smiled excitedly, my son is so smart, I thought.  I can teach him Psychology.  I explained, find something to play with you and act as if you really enjoy it. Paul will leave the tricycle to see what you are playing with and you can play with the tricycle.  He went back outside. I congratulated myself.  However, pretty soon he came back in asking, “What did you say to hit him with?”  I was crushed.

One of the boys’ friends liked to come for a meal occasionally. Steve was in for a treat as the boys set it up, he would be in Humor Heaven. They conspired, “Every time I say anything, you all laugh!”  Steve left that day confused and wondered why he ‘didn’t get it!

Through the years, these moments and many more brought smiles and laughter as delightful memories.  There are echoes of laughter in their eyes when they see their siblings each time and remember the joy of being together.