(A revised re-post for newer readers to this site.)
Some of my favorite moments in life have occurred on a whim. For example:
Water fights between my Beloved and me. In the bathroom. They would often start innocently enough such as when I’m in the shower and she turns on hot water full blast in the bathroom sink, dropping the temperature of the water that’s pouring on my shampoo-filled head to several degrees below freezing.
(OK, I know that the water wasn’t frozen yet so was probably slightly above freezing, but it FELT like it was below freezing! And maybe she hadn’t turned the hot water on quite full blast, but to this day I contend that was only so she could claim to be innocent while to me it looked like pretty damning evidence of premeditated malice.)
I let out an indignant bellow that could probably be heard by neighbors several blocks away, as shampoo was getting into my eyes and mouth.
And do I hear an apology from Beloved? NOOOOO. Just a little giggle. Then another, slightly louder (and to my water-clogged ears sounding a bit more taunting.)
Well, two can play at that game, so I raised the shower head over the top of the shower wall and aimed the spray right at her, drenching her clothes, hair, and everything else. Now it was her turn to shriek indignantly! And oh how she shrieked! You’d think I was killing her! I was afraid the neighbors would hear and think something nefarious was going on in our house, but I shouldn’t have worried because by now they knew that some type of craziness was always going on in our house.
Being the mature woman and mother that she was, and knowing that our three impressionable young children were no doubt by now clustered on the other side of the bathroom door wondering if their parents had gone insane, she naturally and sensibly called a truce, right?
Yeah, right. She waited until I went back to rinsing the shampoo off my head, and out of my eyes and mouth, then grabbed a large glass–it must have held at least 2 or 3 gallons (well that’s my side of the story and I’m sticking to it)–filled it with ice-cold water, opened the shower door, and splashed it all over me.
Then the water fight began in earnest with howls of laughter, and water drenching everything from the ceiling, drapes towels, wallpaper, counter tops (I think they are called “benches” for our Aussie friends) and fixtures, to the floor.
When we had both were half-drowned and had had enough, we negotiated a truce, which takes no small amount of mutual trust in such situations as we stared each other down–me with an itchy trigger finger on the shower head, and my steely eyed foe holding two full water-glass primed for throwing.
We were both dripping from head to toe, and panting through aching jaws ached from laughing so hard.
We surveyed the damage we’d inflicted on our poor innocent bathroom, gave each other a knowing look, grabbed a bunch of dry towels from the closet, and began cleaning up the mess.
Such craziness is a large part of what brings the joy to us in our JOYoUS life.
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
laughter shared is love shared.
Good point, Bill. I agree that heart-felt laughter and laughter between loved ones is indeed love shared.
Russ
Sounds like a lot of fun…reminds me of the time my husband and I decided that the ‘cream’ pie we we going to have for dessert instead was used to first get one of our sons smack dab in the face as he came into the kitchen…then lurked in waiting for our second son as we called to him..and he got the same…and then our little 5 year old who looked a bit fearful and we didn’t want to scare her so we just put a little of the cream pie on her face so she felt part of it…Ended up we were all covered in cream pit..with the kitchen a disaster…but it was one of those moments like yours that make good memories….Diane
LOL! That sounds like a lot of fun too. Did your sons grow up with trust issues or abnormal kitchen fears? (KIDDING!) Actually, I think it was wise of you to include your five year old daughter but not give her the full facial treatment!
Russ
This made me laugh heartily! Laughter makes the best memories!
I’m glad to hear it. Laughter is good for so many things.
Russ
Glad to know we are not the only ones who “get outta hand”! lol! Our kids used to run and hide …. I can get wicked with the sink sprayer! 🙂 Keep having fun!
LOL! Thank you, Paula! You too!
Russ
🙂
who says growing old is not fun!! 🙂
My Beloved says I was born an old man and in many ways she is right. My middle sister and I helped raise our younger siblings and that changes a person. But I believe that one is never too old to have a happy childhood ,so in a good many ways I’m growing younger as I grow grayer.
Having a granchild helps too!
Russ
I can imagine, my dad also helped raised his younger sisters. And to the day he passed away he lived to the fullest and I will always remember that twinkle in his eye that would tell us he was up to something!! LOL And yes, grandchildren would help – I have yet to know that joy though.
A twinkling-eyed father is such a good thing!
May you be blessed with grandchildren. I count mine among my biggest blessings. .
Russ
Thanks – I know when the time is right God will blessed ten fold with lots of little ones running around…
I know that for some that would be a nightmare, but for people who are wired like you and me that would be a dream come true.
😀
Hahaha what fun!
It sure was–though the cleanup afterwards was not quite as fun! ;-D!
Russ
Haha, oh yes, I can imagine. My bathroom is pretty small and it would still take an awful lot of towels to dry everything off! I’m sure it was worth it though 🙂
YUP!