Our family has always enjoyed telling jokes and puns—and we think we’re healthier for it, at least emotionally. In fact, our grandma always said, “Laughter’s the best medicine.” And, she’d quote the Bible: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” Our guess is that this is all good for our health—at least emotionally. Agree? Disagree?

—Jokester from Pennsylvania

I can still hear Leonard’s contagious laugh and see his face. He was nearing ninety-two when he walked into my office on my very first day of practice. “Been looking for a younger doctor,” he stated bluntly. “I find that younger doctors keep me younger. ’Sides, some of the old codgers ’round here don’t have no sense of humor!”

Our relationship was off to a great start. Leonard became one of my favorite patients. His list of physical maladies was not brief. He suffered from a severe form of heart failure—the result of several heart attacks through the years. With even mild exertion, he’d experience chest pain that could double him over and a shortness of breath that would slow him down.

Leonard also had a chronic, irritating dermatitis, couldn’t see or hear very well, and was crippled with arthritis worsened by injuries from a number of logging accidents from his youth. Yet the time I spent with him, whether in the office or around town, was always a time filled with laughter. Leonard knew more good jokes than any man I’d met before—or since.

“What are you here for today?” I asked him.

“Come to get me a premarital exam.”

“You getting married? I asked. “At ninety one?”

“Yes, Sir. Be my fourth. Lost my three other beauties to breast cancer. Don’t want to be lonely anymore. Need someone to tell my jokes to.”

“Who you marrying?”

“She’s a twenty-three year old bar maid from the next city over,” Leonard deadpanned. He knew I knew he was a deacon in one of the local, most fundamental churches in our area. Then he broke out with what I came to appreciate was his trade mark—an ear to ear smile. “Just want to be sure to marry someone who’ll out live me this time!”

We shared the first of what would be many laughs through the years. Leonard had a high “humor quotient.” His ability and willingness to laugh was part of the reason I considered Leonard highly healthy—in spite of his physical problems.

TO BE CONTINUED

• PART 2: Laughter is the Best Prescription
• PART 3: Heart-Healthy Humor

Walt Larimore, MD, has been called one of America’s best known family physicians and has been named in the “Guide to America’s Top Family Doctors,” “The Best Doctors in America,” “Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare,” and “Who’s Who in America.” He’s a former Vice President and Physician in Residence at Focus on the Family and the American Life League has named him a “Rock-Solid Pro-Life” awardee. He’s also an award-winning medical journalist and the best-selling author of over 40 books. He and his childhood sweetheart and wife of 50 years, Barb, have two adult children and reside in Colorado Springs. You can find Doctor Walt’s health blog at www.DrWalt.com and follow him on Facebook at “DrWalt.com”. Have questions for Dr. Walt? Email them to editor@todayschristianliving.org.