Irony

Today (well, yesterday... it's kind of Saturday morning now...) may have been one of the cruddiest days I've experienced in a while. Without going into detail, I felt a little hollow and didn't want to do much thinking, so I wanted to go to a mindless movie. My good friend Katey was there for me and while she is also dealing with her own set of troubles, still accompanied me to a kung fu movie, even though she hates those.

Before that, we went to Jamba Juice. Katey has sworn off sugar and sweets, but an occasional Jamba is still acceptable. I would have gone to Leatherby's otherwise. Well, on the drive there, we sort of chatted about life and the cruddy things it can dish out now and then. For some strange reason, we would both chuckle a little after talking about one thing or the other. I mentioned how weird it was that we keep laughing even though it really isn't funny and in most cases it was down right sad.

Well, we got to Jamba and at the counter Katey asks very unenthusiastically, "Will you be offended if I don't get anything?" This was, after all, mostly to satiate my need for something cold and chocolaty (the Peanut Butter Moo'd is quite tasty), so I said I wouldn't be offended at all. We waited for my smoothie, quietly sulking, and as my name was called, Lean On Me started playing on the overhead. I smirked at Katey and pointed to the ceiling and said, "Do you hear this?!" She confirmed she did with a laugh. The irony struck me very hard and I began laughing HYSTERICALLY.

Now, people exaggerate their descriptions of events (myself included) quite a bit sometimes. "That was the saddest movie EVER!" or "That was the best cheese cake in ALL THE LAND!!" or even "Nothing will ever top THAT!" I am here to say in that moment I laughed harder and longer than I ever have in my life, and that is no exaggeration. Katey had the wisdom to suggest we go outside (luckily I didn't see any of the people shooting glances at us as I tried desperately--and failed miserably--to gain composure), but even outside I couldn't stop. We went to my car and I just kept laughing. I had to cover my mouth because it was making a weird face that I could NOT control. I was hootin' and hollerin' making noises I never make while laughing, and I had to gasp for air. I've had long laughing sessions before, but this was far beyond anything I've ever done. And tears just kept streaming down my face. I think all the emotion just mixed together and in that moment, all I could do was laugh and wipe the tears so I could find the way to the car and find the ignition for my keys. Even thinking on it now makes me pause in wonder.

I still feel a little crappy, but I'll be fine with time. ...Lean On Me... seriously? THAT'S the song that should play at that moment?!? Oh, Lord, give me strength.