Faith & Friends January 2021

Faith&Friends

LAUGHING MATTERS

A Word of Thanks One single expression can be the key to facing perilous times. by Phil Callaway

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hoever said, “May you live in interesting times” certainly got his wish. During March of 2020, peace and comfort were in shorter supply than toilet paper. Ramona and I selfquarantined and, after praying at breakfast together, I tried to think up something to make her laugh. One day, I said, “Honey, you’ve always been there for me. During the energy crisis of the ’70s, we met. During the recession of the ’80s, we married. We weathered Y2K together. And the crash of 2008. And the Great TP Shortage of 2020. And now here we are hunkered

down indoors, two metres apart, together. I may be wrong, but I think you’re bad luck.” Thankfully, she laughed. That laugh is one of a hundred things I’m grateful for in times like these. Devilish Memo According to several studies, anxiety and gratitude have trouble co-existing in the human brain. I mentioned this to friends, and they said things such as: “I’m thankful for a slower pace.” “Time with family.” “Church this morning in our jammies.” In C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, a senior devil sends letters to

Lovebirds Ramona Callaway’s laugh is one of a hundred things her husband, Phil Callaway, is grateful for in times like these

8 • JANUARY 2021  I faithandfriends.ca