What will your last words be?
I will never forget the final words from my beloved mom: “Always make people laugh.”
Her words so beautifully captured the essence of her magnetism while relaying layers of wisdom. Humor is a superpower — accelerating connections, boosting resilience and deepening bonds.
5 Gifts of Humor:
1. The Gift of Lightness in a Heavy World
Life is filled with challenges. With her parting words, my mother was reminding me to be a source of light in the lives of others. Laughter has a unique ability to momentarily ease tensions and create a space of joy, even in tough times. We can always find lightness, no matter what life brings.
2. The Gift of Resilience Through Humor
Humor is also a tool for resilience. It can be a way to face life’s hardships with grace. Laughter isn’t just for the good times — it’s a way to navigate the difficult ones, too. In our family, when presented with a predicament, or even a disaster, we will wryly comment, “We’re really making memories now, aren’t we?!!” Chuckling in the moment acknowledges the situation while also marking it as a captivating story in a broader arc.
3. The Gift of Authenticity and Wholeness
My mother’s kindness, silliness and open-heartedness were hallmarks of someone who lived authentically, embracing the serious, as well as the fun and serendipitous aspects of life. The ability to make others laugh often comes from being real, being yourself, and not taking life too seriously. Her parting advice is a call to embrace your true nature — your joy, your quirks, and your compassion — and share it freely with the world.
4. The Gift of Human Connection and Love
Laughter is one of the most natural ways to build connections and create intimacy. It’s a language that transcends differences, breaking down walls between people. Last month I met up with my brother, and we swapped childhood stories, laughing so hard that we could barely speak. When you giggle together, you share moments of genuine warmth. My mother’s words emphasize that in making others laugh, you’re not just offering a joke — you’re offering a piece of your heart.
5. A Legacy of Kindness and Joy
My mother once said, “I don’t make products. I make people.” We’re so often chasing the next great success. But my mom’s philosophy of “making people” instead of products speaks to the idea that true success lies in the positive impact we have on others. Her dying words prioritize spreading joy, which can be one of the most lasting and meaningful legacies we have.
My mom was a natural connector. Wherever she went, strangers became friends. Her kindness, humor and zany spirit were irrepressible — and irresistible. She knew that what we really collect in life are moments. And remembering that is a remarkable gift. Thank you, Mom. x
