Tag: humor

What Day is It?

My wife and I have four children and ten grandchildren. We also have three wonderful sons-in-law and one wonderful daughter-in-law. We are very thankful for all the members of our family.

But twenty-five years ago we didn’t have all of these people in our lives. Our four kids were in school or working. Our kids were dating during their college and post-college years but no weddings yet.

One day one of my future sons-in-law called me early in the morning. I think he woke me up. After he identified himself he asked me if Trisha had left yet. I wasn’t sure what he was asking so I asked him to repeat the question. He explained that he was at the airport in Portland, Oregon to pick up Trisha but he couldn’t find her.

Now he had my attention. What was he talking about? We had never heard our daughter was planning to fly to Oregon to visit him. She had never said anything to us about a trip to Portland.

My future son-in-law sensed that I was confused. He tried to explain that Trisha was going to fly up to see him during his spring break. He was calling me from the airport because he couldn’t find her. 

Then he asked me what day it was. Maybe he got the dates mixed up. So he repeated his question – what day is it? I had to think for a moment and finally replied – it was April 1st. Then I realized that he was playing an April Fool’s joke on his future father-in-law.

Trisha and Bryan have been married for over twenty years now. They have two wonderful kids. But I’m not sure that I have forgiven Bryan for his April Fool’s joke. I secretly hope that he will have a future son-in-law play a similar April Fool’s joke on him one day!

Thankfully I have learned to appreciate all of my sons-in-law over the years. Each of them are outstanding men, supportive husbands and great dads. In some ways they have a lot in common and in other ways they each have their own distinctive personalities. I am very thankful they love my daughters, love our grandkids and love God with all their hearts. Let me encourage you to express your appreciation to the men and women who have joined your family by marrying your sons and daughters. You will be glad you did and they will too! And make sure you check the calendar if you get an unexpected phone call from one of them.

Read 365 more stories by the author in his book “Let Me Encourage You” by Mark Hopper. Enjoy a new story for every day of the year. Purchase a copy today for only $20 plus $5 postage. Order your book at markh@efreedb.org.

Ring the Bell

Ring the Bell
 
When my wife was going through a difficult time with her health we developed a system so she could call me if she needed help. I found a hand bell in a closet that she could keep by her bed and ring it if she needed me.
 
I know this sounds old fashioned. I suppose we could have used our smart phones and kept my phone number on speed dial. Or I suppose we could have set up a baby monitor like our children used to keep an eye on their babies and young children when they were sleeping.
 
Sometimes it was difficult to hear her voice if the TV was on in the family room or when I was doing dishes in the kitchen. But a loud bell seemed like a simple solution. She could nap and sleep in our bedroom while I was in other parts of the house and she could use the bell to alert me when she woke up or if she needed me.
 
Recently I was watching the LA Rams playoff game in our family room with some other members of our family while my wife was resting in our bedroom. She had the TV on too but I thought she was napping instead of watching the game. Suddenly I heard the bell ring. It wasn’t a short subdued ring. It was loud and urgent. I jumped to my feet and hurried back to our bedroom. I called out “Are you okay”? “Are you okay”? I thought something was seriously wrong.
 
But when I got to our bedroom she was laughing at me. She thought it was funny that I was rushing to help her. When I asked her what was wrong she said – nothing! I asked her why she was ringing the bell. She explained that she was simply celebrating that Cooper Cupp just caught a touchdown pass for the Rams. She wasn’t calling for help – she was loudly celebrating the Rams’ touchdown! 
 
I breathed a huge sigh of relief and then began to laugh too. I laughed and laughed. I was so concerned something was wrong. When I learned everything was okay it was an emotional relief. I laid down on the bed and she starting laughing too. Instead of a crisis it was a Cooper Cupp touchdown. I think it was just what we both needed after several weeks of doctor visits and health challenges.
 
Let me encourage you to release some of the emotional baggage that you may be carrying with you. There is nothing like a good laugh to change the mood and release some emotional energy. You will be glad you did and your family and friends will too.

Read 365 more stories by the author in his book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. The price is $20 for one or $30 for two copies plus $5 postage. Order your books today at markh@efreedb.org.