{"id":435,"date":"2012-09-16T02:06:54","date_gmt":"2012-09-16T02:06:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kandynolesstevens.com\/?p=435"},"modified":"2012-09-16T02:06:54","modified_gmt":"2012-09-16T02:06:54","slug":"14-days-to-go-if-you-need-a-laugh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.realsweetgrace.com\/blog\/?p=435","title":{"rendered":"14 days to go: If you need a laugh"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>I\u2019ve always said that Reed came into the world looking like a little old man.\u00a0 He continued carrying an old soul inside a youthful body his whole life.\u00a0 We have a picture of him in bib overalls and a denim fisherman\u2019s hat when he was about 3 or 4 months old.\u00a0 Other than his size, you would have thought he was ready for the retirement center.<\/p>\n

Despite his little old guy appearance, it was a face that this momma loved.\u00a0 He was always wise beyond his years and was comfortable conversing with anyone.\u00a0 One of the sweetest compliments we received at his memorial service was from a grandpa of one of his friends that said, \u201cReed was over at our house, and we had an hour long conversation.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t believe that a 12-year-old could keep up with an old guy like me, but he did.\u201d\u00a0 It made us smile.\u00a0 Old soul \u2013 youthful body.<\/p>\n

One thing about people who possess an old spirit is that they recognize when someone else is hurting.\u00a0 The response to that hurt is as diverse as the 96 crayon box of Crayola\u2019s.\u00a0 For my little old man, his responses ranged from a tender hand holding to giant bear hugs.\u00a0 Yet, his favorite method of comforting others was to make you laugh.\u00a0 Often it was laugh until you cried tears of joy.<\/p>\n

When you needed a laugh, he was always there with some kind of humor.\u00a0 Different than his brother who does great stand-up, Reed\u2019s humor often involved slapstick routines.\u00a0 Think 3 Stooges and early Chevy Chase work. \u00a0When he first saw \u201cGrandpa\u201d, the Six Flags character that danced, imitation became a sincere form of flattery.\u00a0 Reed didn\u2019t mind when told him that he resembled that character, in fact, it only encouraged him to learn his \u201croutine\u201d even more.<\/p>\n

I could be having the worse day ever, and Reed would clear a space on the floor.\u00a0 The next thing I would hear is, \u201cHey Mom!\u201d\u00a0 When I looked up, the \u201cdance\u201d was on. \u00a0It was always an instant mood lifter.\u00a0 As a people, we are good at laughing at ourselves.\u00a0 It was no different for Reed.\u00a0 When the \u201cperformance\u201d ended, Reed would laugh as hard as the rest of us.\u00a0 The dance never got old.\u00a0 It became one of those beloved favorites like a much loved blanket or pair of shoes.\u00a0 Snuggly comfort \u2013 that created that warm fuzzy feeling inside.<\/p>\n

It\u00a0amazes me that Reed’s Run has always been a instrument for reaching out with our faith and for fundraising.\u00a0 However, I think that God meant it for a different purpose for our family.<\/p>\n

Psalm 30:11 You have turned my sorrow into dancing.\u00a0<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n

Laughing as he would have wanted us to do, we will never be as good a dancers as Reed, but we will definitely laugh while trying. So if you ever need a laugh, just picture Reed doing the old man dance. Trust me, laughter is certainly good for your soul!<\/p>\n