Laughter

Today I found myself missing the laughter that Laynee used to bring to our home.  On the days when the kids are in school and I am home alone, the house is so quiet.  I miss the silly little things that she was constantly doing to make me laugh.  We have plenty of laughter in our home now but it is of a different sort.  The laughter that Laynee brought was so spontaneous, born of her pure innocence.    She was so busy, so determined, so ornery, and so incredibly funny.  I miss her silly faces, her expressions,  her bossiness, and her dances.  I miss dancing with her in the kitchen when no one was watching and singing completely off key to hear her laugh at me.  I miss the laughter that came when one of the kids hid behind a chair to jump out with a BOO.  And calling to everyone to come quick to see the predicament she'd gotten herserlf into this time.  I think back to when the kid's friends would be around and she would keep them all in stitches with her silly ways.  I long to hear the sound drifting through my window of my niece, Dani and nephew, Garrett laughing with Laynee.  I ache to hear her delight on the swings. 

I realize now that we took all that laughter for granted.  We didn't cherish that laughter like we should have.  I can't help wondering if we will ever again laugh with such carefree abandonment.