I agree that laughter can be the best medicine for a number of situations. It certainly is the best stress-reliever. If I can laugh at the ridiculousness of my woes–like when the wind blew a sign off a building through the rear windshield of my car–it helps me get through the b.s. of sorting things out.
This week I learned that laughter–and remembering the times spent laughing together–can be the best balm when faced with the unexpected loss of a friend.
Laughter Is The Best Medicine
I was shocked when I learned that my very best friend from college had died. At first, her Facebook page was filled with comments of disbelief–Tell me it’s not true! How could this happen?! But as the hours and days went on, people shared their memories along with their anguish.
One thing that struck me is how similar our recollections were, even though we knew Maiyah at different times, in distant places, under different circumstances. People shared about her generosity with her time and talents, her adventurous spirit, her passions for music and dance, her dedication to personal growth and spiritual healing. People shared pictures of Maiyah dancing, singing, drumming–and just being silly. I wasn’t there when the pictures were taken, but I could have been. They all showed the Maiyah I knew, doing things I could picture Maiyah doing.
Not my picture, but I know that wild coat!
I am so sad that Maiyah has left this world, but all my memories are grounded in laughter. Laughing over the waiter giving her and my toddler daughter a kids menu when we all went out to eat–yes, we were being silly but did she really look like she was 12?! Laughing at how my elementary school-aged son played a brutal game of Monopoly–how did he always end up with hotels on Boardwalk and Park Place? Laughing over the regrettable side effects when my beagle got into the entire package of rawhide chews she had brought as a gift. Laughing over convincing each other to try bacon ice cream at the beach–who thought it could possibly be better than funnel cake?! Of course there are quieter memories–times spent sharing, talking, and just being together. But even if there were tears, there was laughter. And now, even as there are tears, I remember the times we spent laughing together.
Weekly Wrap
I thought about skipping the Weekly Wrap link up hosted by Holly and Wendy, and I thought about keeping my thoughts of Maiyah to myself. But this is real life, and this was my week. In between time spent stalking Maiyah’s Facebook page for updates and memories, there were challenges and successes at work, catching a movie with another dear friend, date night with my husband, and lots of sweaty workouts.
Monday: OTF
This workout was tough! It was one of the few times I’ve gotten my heart rate into the orange zone on the rower, and definitely the first time I got my heart rate into the red zone on the treadmill. It’s not really a goal–it feels pretty miserable!
Tuesday: Aimee’s class at Cyclebar
Wednesday: 4.5 Scooby Miles
Do you like Scooby’s mug shot?
Thursday: 3.2 Scooby Miles + Strength Workout
Friday: Yoga Sculpt at CorePower Yoga
I’d never been to a Yoga Sculpt class at CorePower Yoga, but for some reason it’s what I was in the mood for on Friday. The only thing yoga about the class was flowing through chaturanga-upward facing dog-downward facing dog between sets–and holding horse pose while doing biceps curls. Otherwise, it was an intense sculpt class held in a moderately heated (90-93°F) yoga studio. I liked that instructor led us through a pace that let me focus on good form instead of struggling to keep up, and by the end of class my arms/shoulders needed to skip chaturanga and just recover in dog-downward facing dog! While I didn’t suffer from DOMS for days afterwards, it did wake up some muscles I hadn’t heard from in a while.
I ended up using the 5 lb weights for everything.
Saturday: 11 mile run
The woman in my MRTT group I ran 10 miles with last week had a 12 mile run on her marathon training plan. I told her I’d do 10 with her, but as we approached the 5 mile turn-around point, I decided I could hang on for another 1/2 mile before tuning around so she’d only have to tack on 1 more more my herself. My glutes were reminding me of that yoga sculpt class and my legs wanted to quit at mile 9, but I pushed on.
These ducks made the most of the flooding last week’s rain left behind.
A few more hills means a few more minutes in the orange zone.
Sunday: 38.8 mile bike ride.
No, I could go 0.2 more miles. let alone 1.2 more! I planned an easy route in my head, and while it was pretty easy, it was longer than I thought–that’s what happens when you don’t stop to add up the different segments you are piecing together!
Basically, we rode from our house to Shirlington and did the Arlingon Loop with a detour over to the Capital Crescent Trail for an out-and-back to Bethesda.
My heart got to take it easy, but my legs were still tired!
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Do you have a friend who always makes you laugh?
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Sorry to hear of your loss. It is tough when we lose someone who matters to us.
Thanks. There’s a quote I couldn’t get quite right about being grateful for it being painful to say good-bye.
So sorry for the loss of your friend. A lovely tribute to her.
I did love reading that someone else is unable to add up miles though, re your bike ride. Nice to know I’m not alone in that.
Thanks. <3 I can do math, but not on the run -- or on a bike!
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. That’s way too young. And a sign through your rearview mirror? Seriously???
Good for you for hanging in there with your MRTT friend! I might’ve been able to push harder at the end if I’d been running with someone. Probably not, though. Today was truly brutal.
I am so sorry for you and loss of your friend. Unexpected deaths are really just so hard to process. I am trying to focus and remember the good times I had with my sister before she passed a few months ago. She always made me laugh and those are great memories to hold onto. xoxo
Thanks. It’s always hard, but it seems harder when someone is young. Your sister’s passing was shocking for so many reasons. (((hugs back to you)))
I am so sorry that you loss your friend this week. She must have been an awesome person for so many people to have such great memories of her to share.
Isn’t it great that you have running,biking and yoga, to help when times are a little tough?
Thanks. Yes, I agree that all the great memories are a great tribute to her. And, yes, staying active is a great distraction.
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. That had to hurt–thankfully you have some amazing memories. I agree, laughter really is the best medicine. That and some sweat, which it looks like you did a lot of. Hugs.
Oh I’m so sorry about the loss of your friend. A sudden loss, especially so young, is so hard to process. I’m glad your memories are providing you with some comfort. Lots of hugs to you.
I certainly have gone through and keep cycling through shock and disbelief.
Lovely tribute to your friend, I’m so sorry for your loss.
Love your toenail polish – the shadow & leash on hilly, humid Scooby miles looks almost like a cape
Congrats on the long run and ride
LOL, I don’t know if I could handle Super Scooby. Maybe he has super squirrel powers?
I’m so sorry to hear about Mayiah. That had to be a shock. I totally agree that laughter and remembering the good times can be so therapeutic. Glad you all celebrated her life.
Thanks! It’s amazing how much it helps.
Yes I have a friend who always makes me laugh and she just beat stage 4 uterine cancer.
It’s so much easier to do long runs with someone. Even so we cut our ten miler to 8. Too humid.
That’s great news about your firend, although I’m sure it was scary to get through.
Yes. We had lost touch and recently reconnected at an airport.
Ignore that comment. It was about a friend who died from cancer.
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I think that you are honoring her by remembering all the good times that you shared together. I agree that laughter is the best medicine. I try to laugh at least once a day and find something to be thankful for once a day too. It helps me zone out all the sadness in the world, if just for a few minutes.
Amen to that! There is so much I need to take my mind off these days.
Laughter is so important. I’m going through the same thing, and it helps to reminisce with friends and laugh when sharing our memories.
I’m so sorry for your loss as well. I’m glad you have friends to share memories and tears with.
Oh my goodness. I’m so, so sorry for your loss! You all will be in my thoughts and prayers. That was a lovely tribute and great job on the workouts this week!
Thank you!
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend, these were some beautiful memories of her that you shared.
I’m very sorry to hear about your friend. I’m sure you’ll think often about the laughter you shared and I hope you can take comfort in those wonderful memories. Nice bike ride this week! My legs are a little tired too, but I only rode 27.5. I think Scooby favors his profile as his best side. 😉 Thanks for linking!
So sorry to hear about your loss of your friend and so young…Very tragic.
Glad you have laughter and running to help cope!
What a beautiful person she was, both inside and out – I am so sorry for your loss Coco but so glad that your memories of her and the time spent with her are full of happiness and laughter. That is the gift she left you and all her loved ones.
Thanks so much. It is one of those time when a “celebration of life” actually makes sense. There is so much to celebrate her.
So sorry for your loss. Seems like you had a lot of good times together.
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend… Sending hugs your way.
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend 🙁 I love the way you’re sharing about her here on the blog though – I think her playfulness and spirit really shine through in your blog post.