Writing Prompt: Nothin’ Left To Do But Smile, Smile, Smile

Prompt: Write about what makes you laugh.

Nothin’ Left To Do But Smile, Smile, Smile

Full-out belly laughter comes hard to me these days, thanks to the potent mix of medications I’m on which have a side effect of making me feel emotionally flat. But I can and do certainly smile, and a little more broadly than Mona Lisa so that’s saying something. Lots of things make me smile, for instance what comes to mind is my husband Michael’s food belly, which has been lovingly constructed by me through the elaborate meals I make for him every night. I deliberately serve him heaping portions, it’s how I show my love, and I am delighted to see his (nearly) clean plate after eating. 

Speaking of bellies, my beloved Basset Hound Lily has a big belly, because she’s getting ample table treats from all the food I’m serving. That makes me smile too, happy hound, happy home, and all that. Perhaps we all have a weight problem here, but we’re smiling so I call that a win.

Now, the biggest belly I’ve known to date belonged to my father, who always said he had a body built for comfort, and a belly that was “bought and paid for.” His stomach was so comforting to me, I found it equally humorous and endearing, that rotund Jolly St. Nick extension was such a big part of his personality. I’m smiling thinking of Dad asleep in his recliner during the afternoon golf match, hands folded atop his belly, contentedly snoring away. Rest in peace and comfort, dear Daddy.

Yes, bellies make me smile, and the famous bellies made me laugh, like those belonging to John Belushi and Chris Farley and John Candy. Who can forget Chris Farley posing topless in black Lycra pants doing a Chippendale’s dance off with Patrick Swayze? I absolutely love that sketch, I hope you’ve seen it, if not, tune into the Best of Saturday Night Live Special every year around Thanksgiving or Christmas time.

No, I may not belly laugh anymore, but I can certainly sing, so allow me to regale you with the chorus of a famous Grateful Dead song. It’s a mantra I live by these days, here moving past middle age into aging and all that entails. I’m trying to take it easy, enjoy the slower pace of things, live in the moment. And when things get me down, try to remember: “Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile.”