The other day I was, as usual, seated next to Anthony in his nursing home room. We were watching the Food channel on television and, just for fun, I kept turning my head in his direction until he turned his head towards me.
Anthony has enormous eyes that are made even more enormous due to the fact that he doesn’t blink very much (Parkinson’s). So I kept joking about this and saying “What big eyes you have!” half-hoping he would remember the fairy-tale response.
Instead, he just kept sliding his eyes towards mine and, every time he did this, I cracked up laughing. Such a silly game but so much fun. I would sneakily avert my face from the TV and look at him until he looked at me and every time he did this I would burst into laughter which made him smile too.
Such absolute nonsense, but so hilarious for both of us. We’ve been doing the nonsense thing quite a bit over the last couple of years but it didn’t occur to me until now that this kind of interaction might be worth writing about.
I guess it would be hard to write this kind of nonsense thing up as an actual therapy, but, for us, it is proving to be the most wonderful thing. Anthony has always had the most amazing sense of humour and, despite all of his illnesses, this sense of humour is still intact.
I am so grateful that he and I can still get a laugh out of each other despite the circumstances. Ants has been in the nursing home for so long now that every single smile, regardless of nonsense, is like gold.
jmgoyder 
You are so clever to catch on to yet another way of interacting with Anthony.
You continue to amaze & inspire.
Laughter is the great healer. Your title here made me laugh. That’s a gift! A good laugh tops my list of important things. 🙂
Wow, Julie – this is touching. It made me think of a new song title: “Stare away to heaven.”
Anyway, glad you can find ways to connects with Ants despite his limitations. What a beautiful way indeed!
So glad you shared this delightful story Julie, your stories always feel like beautiful expressions of love in action.
There used to be a section in the Readers Digest called ‘Laughter is the Best Medicine’ but it was full of rotten jokes. Your laughter sounds more fun.
It is these little things that can make a visit so much fun
You know the saying,” laughter is the best medicine”, and you just proved it!
This post is like gold, Julie.
Your laugh must be like a fine glass of wine to Anthony.
The child is us all is one that deserves more air-time. Love and laughter are a great therapy.
I love this nonsense….and you are my HERO! Love you Jules….xoxo
You two are so cute together! Flirty glances–too naughty:) I love the Food Network, too.
Picturing the two of you sitting side by side laughing at nonsense made me smile!
Nonsense is good. It is how we stay sane 😜. Hugs!!
The love and connection you two have is truly wonderful and you both have a fantastic sense of humor that you both have kept intact through this tough journey … and laughter makes life a lot easier. Lovely post, Julie.