“Tears and Laughter—Such a Part of Our Lives” Michael and the Dog Bathing Hilarity!
Months ago the Specialist said to me “Michael, it will be important to keep things as normal as possible for Karen.” He smiled when we talked about this “normal” and agreed that would be quite an assignment. For Karen and me, tears and laughter are very much a “normal” part of our lives.

For us, tears have been part of our lives. Just as in any other family, there have been times of deep sorrow through which we have traveled. Multiplied tears have been ours as we have ministered to hundreds of people over the span of forty-four years. We walked with them as they walked through times of deep sorrow.  Tears certainly are still a part of our lives today.

But tears are not the defining part of our lives. Laughter has always been very much a part of our lives. I have always had the gift of laughter. Sometimes it got me into a little trouble in elementary school when I just couldn’t stop laughing at the shenanigans of my friends. But I digress! Laughter is still a part of our lives!  The Bible says “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).  It seems like I often am finding ways for Karen to laugh and to have a merry heart.

Yesterday was one of those days that laughter really came to my Karen. Lots of laughter! I mean lots and LOTS of laughter.  It was “Michael (of all people) Bathing the Dogs (of all critters!) Adventure on the High Seas!”  The adventure kind of went like this.

I sniffed about me and I could tell,

That Karen’s dogs had started to smell.

As her husband I was trying to be oh so kind

When a marvelous thought flew into my mind.

Both of her little dogs I would surely scrub

With water and soap in our bathroom tub.

“I wish I knew how to post this on Facebook”

Said my beloved Karen with an hysterical look.

I drew the water and hovered on my bended knees

My beloved Karen I would surely try now to please.

Into the tub the dog went with water already flying,

Behind me stood my Karen now laughing and crying.

With one hand I held on to the little dog’s tail so tight.

With the other hand I scrubbed him with all my might.

Then it happened again my friends; it was just like before,

The dog violently shook as water flew on to the floor.

We’re not talking of a little water that is tiny and small!

This water came pounding, waves nearly seventeen feet tall.

With sounds of flooding destruction the water was now crashing,

With everything in its path under water would be smashing.

Waves flooded over me.  I truly thought “this is it I will drown.”

The dog thought we were playing. He acted like a clown.

He shook some more and by now spitting water I surely pouted

“Good Boy shake some more” laughingly my dear Karen shouted.

From out of nowhere it struck another crashing wave,

I nearly needed a lifeguard to come and my life to save.

With my emotions rising I knew I started to get hot,

When behind me I heard Karen saying, “You missed a spot!”

I was drenched but we were finished when there sat his brother,

Karen whispered “Don’t forget the other dog, we do have another!”

So smiling I started again with soap and the scrub!

Grabbing dog number two sending him into the tub.

I close out this adventure not wanting any heroic glory.

I’m just eager to tell you of my near drowning story.

A dog groomer will truly never be my calling in life.

It’s a good thing you can tell that I truly love my dear wife.

So that just about concludes our adventure for today. Thanks for praying. Karen is feeling pretty well today. Both dogs are alive and smell much better. As for me, I’m just glad to be back to writing sermons, getting ready to preach, and thanking the Lord for His amazing blessing.