Here is the definition of Laughter from Wikipedia:

Laughter is an audible expression or appearance of merriment or happiness or an inward feeling of joy and pleasure (laughing on the inside). It may ensue (as a physiological reaction) from jokes, tickling and other stimuli.... Strong laughter can sometimes bring an onset of tears or even moderate muscular pain.

Laughter is one of the greatest gifts on Earth. Laughter is truly what gets you through the hardest of times. It helps you escape from your depression, pain, or other dismal situations into a blissfully joyous state. It acts as a distraction from everyday life with all its rigors and stress.

I've been in some extremely bad situations in my lifetime. The only thing that ever made me get out of my "funks" was laughter. Joking with buddies,joking around about situations in life, and even joking around about situations in death. Joking and kidding around is one of the things that truly makes life more enjoyable. In my line of work there are lots of serious and even unimaginable situations people are put in daily. The only way to maintain your sanity and not end up being committed is to let laughter take care of you. I promise, all cops have to make light of certain situations, rib each other, bust each others chops, and play practical jokes on each other to keep from wanting to just throw our hands up and give in. Life has some really horrible twists and turns sometimes and laughter truly keeps us all sane and in line.

You've heard the saying laughter is the best medicine. There is no doubt about that statement. I can thank laughter and comedians for the fact that i've never had an antidepressant in my entire life. I can remember at one of the worst times in my life someone rented a movie for me. My baby son had just died and I was completely spiralling downward with no possible avenue of escape. They came over and popped this movie in and it was truly a Godsend. It was Major Payne. I can truly thank Damon Wayans and that friend for the small step that got me on the road back to some form of normality. I can still watch that movie today and crack up constantly.

There are lots of celebrities who die over the years, but the ones that get to me the most are the comedians. Those are the ones who bring so much good to life making us laugh and have fun. It truly hurt me deeply to hear of Bernie Mac's passing. He was so hilarious it was unreal. I'll truly miss his standup and his movies.

Along with Hope and a few others, Laughter is most definitely one of the best things to have around. Laughter actually shows us some hope. Hope we have inside deep down to overcome any situation. It's definitely been a help to me through the years and will continue to do so.

So as long as we all keep laughing I know we'll be all right. I know I will. I've seen it firsthand.