When All You Can Do Is Laugh

A few years ago my daughter and I were spending a leisurely Sunday afternoon at Piedmont Park when we found ourselves stuck in the middle of a downpour. We took cover under an awning for a while. However, it looked as though the rain had no plans of abating, and we were growing restless and chilly and wanted to go home, so we decided to venture out from the safety of the awning and trek towards the promise of a warm and dry car. We took off running, our hair dripping and our wet clothes clinging to our bodies. This was no short trip to the car, we were in the heart of the park. We soon spotted a spark of hope ahead of us. A park employee driving a golf cart was approaching us, it appeared as though we were un the verge of being saved. But when the driver got next to us, he just smiled and waved and drove right past. It wasn't as though he would be offending all the other people stranded in the park by showing favoritism to us, a pitiful looking wet woman with her equally pitiful and wet six year old child. Oddly enough, we seemed to be the only people at the park. The shock and mild disgust that we felt as we watched our salvation drive past, quickly gave way to uncontrollable laughter. We were stuck in a rainstorm with no help in sight. We weren't in any danger of freezing to death or melting from the rain, we were just really wet and uncomfortable. We laughed all the way to the car and on the drive home. When we got home we put on our warm snuggly pajamas, even though it was the middle of the afternoon, and we watched Harriet the Spy and ate snacks.
Eight years later, my daughter and I still talk about what ended up being a delightful Sunday afternoon. It was one of the most joyful times that we have spent together.
Sometimes when there is no escape from the weather, other people, or circumstances, all you can do is laugh.