Wednesday, April 20, 2005

It's not polite to laugh

I know it's not nice to laugh at another's misfortune but I do have to relay one of my giggles from yesterday, April 19th. Of course, the 19th is the anniversary of the OKC bombing and the day, in fact the week, has been marked with all sorts of memorials, services, tributes, etc. I was watching the televised service from downtown OKC that included Bill Clinton and several political dignitaries. At the end of this somber service, the congregation was led outside by a lone bagpiper (note-bagpipes don't sound very good via tv transmission). The news channel was panning the progression of the piper and as he came down the church steps he fell. Immediately the camera was switched to something else, but I burst out laughing. They went right back to the piper and it was evident he was ok, just jostled a bit. I felt bad for laughing but I realized that this very sorrowful occasion needed a good diversion and for me it was a reminder that it's ok to laugh and go on with life.

Whenever I hear bagpipes I think of the movie "So I Married an Axe Murderer" where Mike Meyers' dad plays the bagpipes and sings Rod Stewart's "If you want my body (and you think I'm sexy)." Always makes for a good chuckle.

1 comment:

AE said...

You don't know tension relieving laughter until you have heard my great-aunt talking about getting a new vagina during my grandfather's viewing. Priceless.