Oh Brother! Let’s Talk Laughter

I recently ran across some notes that I’ve kept where I’ve jotted down funny things my youngest brother has said over the past year or so, and it seems like as good a day as any to share them with y’all.

I’ve wrote about my brother in past blogs before, so some of you will be familiar with him and his mannerism.

A quick catch-up or refresher if needed though: My brother’s name is Jeffrey and this year he turned 31. At ten years old Jeffrey suffered brain trauma from a life changing car accident our family was in; as a result he has short term memory loss, epilepsy, and requires a caregiver 24/7. Overall he does well for himself and even in his off-moments he’s pleasantly confused. He keeps us laughing and has helped create some of the greatest memories for our family. And best of all, despite Jeffrey’s setbacks, he loves Jesus like crazy!

I really wish I could put audio to these quotes and stories I’m about to share because it may be the drawn out, dramatic way Jeffrey says things that makes it so hilarious but either way I hope you get a good chuckle!!

One day I informed Jeffrey we were having Lil Smokies for a snack and asked if he’d like some… “Alicia, you know I don’t smoke!!”

This summer I was talking about how our Pastor Jeff used to be a band teacher and when my brother (who I sometimes call Jeff) caught wind of it he asked, “Alicia (insert thought provoking pause) what..did I used to be a band teacher?”

Once when we were sitting at the dinner table playing a game of Apples to Apples, Jeffrey kept tapping my husband’s foot repeatedly and Nathan (God bless him he usually has so much patience with my brother) blurted out “stop playing footsie with me or I’ll break it!” …Jeffrey’s response: “Then I’m gonna smack your butt!”

Another time, actually probably every time he visits— “Hey Jeffrey put your shoes over yonder please.” Jeffrey: “Over younger? Alicia, what?”

Jeffrey stayed with us over the weekend in July while my mom was at church camp and one evening I made ‘pigs in a blanket’ and when I told him what I was making he asked if I called them “kids in a blanket?”

My daughter (Paige) was coughing a lot one day and Jeffrey (after a hard stare) asked, “so Paige do you have the Coronavirus?”

More random Jeffrey quotes:

“I don’t want any sugar because I don’t want to be getting a cavity. Yeah I have been keeping the cavities in my teeth straightened out.”

“Hey Alicia, can I get some cough syrup? I’m just having this cough that I want to get rid of but I think it’s maybe because I talk too much.”

“Hey is this like a Jesus-shirt because it has fish on it?” (Pointing to the button-up shirt he was wearing)

“Well at least I’m not coughing on the food because I don’t want to be spreading germs—spreading the Coronavirus.”

“I’m trying to remember this thing I was going to tell you, but it fell out of my head.”

God’s word reminds us that laughter is a gift from Him. When our family gathers and laughter oozes through our celebrations it’s such a blessing from God. I’m thankful for the unique opportunity I have in experiencing life with Jeffrey and seeing God in the midst. Memories are best-made from a joyful heart allowing a contagious impact.

Applicable verses:

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:21

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. James 5:13

I probably never would’ve thought to note some of Jeffrey’s words but there happens to be a fellow blogger (Patty) who writes about life with her adult son who is autistic and epileptic. She’s shared many “talking points” in different posts about the numerous, hilarious things her son (Aaron) has said over time and it inspired me to share about Jeffrey’s words.

The name of Patty’s blog He Said What speaks for its self and will leave you with cozy feelings of hope and love as her reflections point to Jesus. The stories she shares are so relatable to life with my brother and her faith in Jesus is a blessed encouragement to me! Go check it out, you won’t be disappointed.❤️

http://www.hesaidwhatks.blog/He Said What

As always sweet weekend blessings!!

Author: alimw2013

About For His Purpose~ My name is Alicia and I'm a thirty-something year old who loves Jesus. Only through God’s amazing grace and mercy I have been redeemed from past regret and shame. Reading His word has allowed me to look past Satan’s forceful lies, to see myself for who Christ says I am in Him. Through writing I have learned why I made the choices I made in my younger years and I now have a better understanding of why I desire to love God like crazy these days. Despite my daily failures, God remains faithful always. I am reassured of His unconditional love for me by every ink-drop spilled out on paper, each committed prayer as I cry out to Him, and deep understanding reflected through reading His word as truth. Yes keeping a blog will make me vulnerable to others’ opinions- there will be some who don’t understand, some who may criticize or judge, but on the other hand if just one piece expressed through my writing grabs someone’s attention and directs them to God, then pouring out my heart in a blog for the world to read is worth it. I choose to glorify Him alone through words streaming across a glowing screen. And it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t reveal the fact that I’m incredibly quirky; I’m my loving husband’s best friend, my vivacious kids’ craziest cheerleader and spiritual trainer (3 John 1:4). I love anything farmhouse and rustic style. I think cupping a warm coffee mug in the palm of my hands is more satisfying than the contents within. I share a common obsession with my husband for the mountains, but I would (without a doubt) settle for waves crashing against my legs at the Atlantic Ocean just as well, and I almost always have a Yorkie curled up on my lap while writing. *All photos are photographed by forhispurpose.blog and therefore may not be stored or photocopied in any manner.

37 thoughts on “Oh Brother! Let’s Talk Laughter”

  1. Those are funny quotes. It’s cool you have such a great relationship with your brother. I enjoy Patty’s blog too. She has a good sense of humor and attitude about the challenging moments with her son. God bless Aaron and your brother. Blessings to you all.

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    1. She definitely does!!
      That’s a good point, there are definitely challenges but it always seems there’s a good lesson tucked in the midst— which is true for everyone—with all areas of life.
      Thanks for reading and commenting Ryan!

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  2. Empathy, introspection and reflection. Seeing life through some else’s life can be an effective tool of teaching, it’s void of nagging or complains.

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    1. He definitely is for the most part..but I’ve written before about his negative points too…it always inspires me though how he’s quick to want to change up his bad behavior because he doesn’t want to disappoint God! I learn a lot through observing Jeffrey.❤️

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      1. Yes! I totally understand. Folks with special needs (like my son) inspire and teach me so much, too. I’m always learning/growing from the negatives and the positives. 🙌🏻

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  4. A precious and encouraging post Alicia. Thank you.
    Jeffery’s ‘setbacks’ have not hindered his greatest asset, he “… loves Jesus like crazy! , an asset so many blessed without infirmities have ignored, not knowing it’s their greatest ‘setback’.
    Thank you Jeffery for the reminder of how truly blessed I am.

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    1. Awe you summed it up perfectly!! I literally think this every time I’m with my brother…especially when he prays…it’s incredible!!
      Thank you for reading and seeing the big picture!! God bless!

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  6. What a great post. I needed a good chuckle today. So thank you for sharing. I especially liked the one “it fell out of my head.” Haha! We do need to laugh more. Many people (myself included) take things too seriously. Thanks again! ♥️

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  7. The little smokies and band one were my favorites. The first time Nathan said he was making smokies for lunch I thought he was joking and then I saw the package 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ the band story is really cute and I can picture him asking you when he was a band teacher. I am thankful for your brother and for all involved that when he is confused he is not agitated or angry. I love your heart for your family! Thank you for sharing this! 🤗🤗🧡🧡🧡

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    1. Yes when he’s confused he doesn’t get agitated or angry BUT there are definitely times he gets very annoyed especially if he’s not getting his way and then you gotta look out…however he can usually turn bad behavior around quickly because he doesn’t want to let Jesus down. That one truth ministers boldly to me!🙌❤️

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  11. Loved these little quotes from your brother. My mom always says “over yonder” which isn’t something said much where we live now but was where she grew up in North Carolina. My brother used to harass her about it all the time. “Where is over yonder, Mom? Like how far? Define yonder for me!”

    He’s lucky my mom is such a kind and gentle woman

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    1. lol I catch grief for it too!! I’m kind of an old soul so I just love those old words.❤️ I use “y’all” a lot too and that’s not really something used where I live but I I like the sound of it!

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  13. Wonderful post Ali! I did smile and laugh. It definitely warmed my heart. ❤❤❤
    Speaking of which. I was backing up my poetry on my God’s Kid Speaks blog because I need to close that account and stick to one blog. I came across that poem I wrote for you and reminisced about our long comments and chats about God and how wonderful it would be to have you as a neighbor. It really would. You do shine God’s love to those around you. Keep shining. ❤

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    1. Ahh that’s super sweet!! I feel the same about you!! I hope you’re doing well!

      I don’t blame you for sticking to just one blog, sometimes even just one is overwhelming between writing and then reading other’s blogs and commenting..it’s time consuming but a blessing as well for sure!!
      Have an amazing week my friend!!

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  14. Oh Alicia, I just saw this last night and you know fully how much I love it!! Jeffrey is such a dear soul, and you are a dear sister to him. Bless you! I love how Jeffrey is staring at the “kids in a blanket.” 🙂 🙂 And before it falls out of my head – 🙂 – thank you for sharing my blog here. That’s so kind of you! You remind me so much of my daughter (Andrea) in how much you both love your special brothers. Take care and keep laughing. Love you.

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    1. ❤️It was a fun post to write!!

      I’m so thankful for your blog in so many ways and I love the bond God can create between individuals even if it’s just over crummy electronics. It goes to show how powerful words are especially when they point to the Word!! Thank you so much for your Christian friendship, it’s been such a blessing to interact with you! And to learn about your family and your deep love for them as well.
      Praise God for the wonderful ways He works!!!❤️❤️❤️

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  16. Hello from the UK

    Thank you so much for this post. The heavenly Father likes laughter very much. He even tells His own jokes, littered throughout creation and in His Word. The Bible is full of humour, if only people would have ears to hear which at last in 2020 I received at 60 years of age. I am a bit slow, but I got there in the end.

    For example, take the First and last books of the Old Testament and the first and last books of the New.

    Genesis and Malachi. Split these up as follows: Genes is mal achi.

    This read phonetically ‘Genes is malarky’ i.e genes are spoilt (mal is ‘bad’ in French and arky relates to archangel, in this case Satan as this is what he once was).

    Matthew and Revelation. Split these up as follows: Ma tthew and Revelation (no need to split as such).

    Ma tthew sound like ‘my thew’, meaning ‘My strength’. The whole means ‘My strength revelation’ or perhaps ‘revealed’. Jesus is of course the heavenly Father’s strength. Matthew is also said to be the gift of God in meaning so makes sense.

    But here is the humour. Matthew was in reality Levi in Hebrew. Levis are a make of jeans, which sound like genes.

    So the whole is also ‘jeans (genes) revelation’!

    And now at this end of times and a new beginning, we have in full:

    Genes is malarky, genes is revealed!!!! And we have the human genome project!!!!

    This is only a very, very small part of what is hidden away in plain sight to those who have ears to hear.

    Our genes were spoilt by Satan, our bodies die, but now the death gene is revealed.

    Anyway, I thought perhaps you might like my post of ‘Faith masks’. It might amuse you and be of help. My site is rather unusual; I do love plays on words and puns so don’t be surprised if you read other posts and pages of mine (wishful thinking on my part!).

    https://alphaandomegacloud.wordpress.com/2021/08/12/faith-masks/

    Kind regards

    Baldmichael Theresoluteprotector’sson

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    1. Haha!! Loved reading this comment and am also a HUGE fan of puns, although my family slaps their knee and includes an eye roll when I throw them out!!

      What an interesting observation you shared through studying…’Our genes were spoilt by Satan, our bodies die, but now the death gene is revealed.’

      But you are so right, there is so much humor in scripture and so many of our common sayings (or idioms) root back to the Bible! How cool!

      I’m celebrating your faith with you, better late than never!!! And I can tell from your comment and studying how eager you are to grow!!
      Thank you for the link to your post, I’ll be checking it out!!

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