CRS and My Grandmother

Last night after phoning my 92-year old grandmother I was slapped with the realization that laughter really is the best medicine. When we as caring, human, shoulders to cry on, can make others laugh at their dire situations we ourselves find laughter. So, what was so dire and what did we find to laugh at?

I won’t go into the particulars but Saturday my grandmother came to the realization she cannot remember much. It must have struck her hard because I spent most of Saturday calming her fear and trying to find ways to easy her mind.

I used the obvious, she is 92, and she is not supposed to have a good memory. I tried using reason and comfort but I was not making much headway. I did manage to persuade her to go walk her troubles off and by late afternoon she had calmed back down.


Her memory has been a family topic for a while now and we often worry about her ability to self medicate. She seems to manage and I feel copes very well considering her entire life is no longer as she once knew it.

Yesterday when I made my usual call the same subject of memory came up but this time I was more prepared. When she started in with the fear and worry of a 92-year old woman losing her memory, I had a response. I told her to tell people she has a new disease and that she had a reason for this memory lose.

Of course she wanted to know what new disease and that she did not want any more pills. I told her no more pills, “You just tell people you have CRS and they should ask someone who works here.” She wanted to know what CRS stood for, so I told her. It stands for, “Can’t Remember Sh*t.” I had to hold the phone away from my ear she was laughing so hard. Mission accomplished.

Sometimes by pointing out a new vantage point of a problem we stumble upon a giggle. A giggle, turns into a he-he, which turns into laughter and before you know it we all feel better.

Can you help someone find a giggle today?

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