07.30.09
Laughter in the Rain
Tonight I went running with my dog along the railroad tracks that had been lifted. Dirt and cinder had filled to overflowing with the constant rain we got today. The best time to run!
My dog is one of those big, chocolate labs; not one of those fussy kinds you have to take to the hairdresser. If this dog gets dirty, you can just take the garden hose to him. That’s the best kind to have!
Some of the puddles filled the entire trail. I had to tramp down the trees and plants along the sides in order to not get my shoes too wet. The dog just ran straight through.
Occasionally I would see ground in the middle of the path, or rocks, so I knew where I could safely step. The dog ran straight through the water. Tail wagging.
I wondered why I was being so careful: My shoes were already soaking wet. What was I trying to prove?
Comedy is like that too. We are sometimes afraid to joke around with strangers, or add humor to our speeches, our meetings, our conversations with telemarketers. We step lightly and timidly, trying to keep our shoes perfectly dry. But it will always be raining, at some time.
Wouldn’t it be much more fun to just run straight for the water, and wag your tail in delight?
