Half my face is black. A spot above my right eye is very tender to touch. Needless to say, it is a bad hair day, but still I am grateful-grateful my brother and sister-in-law were there when I passed out and hit my head on the concrete floor; grateful I did not have a concussion and have not had a headache since the injury; grateful my family stayed with me two nights; grateful my injuries were not much worse.

I had never passed out in all my years. I knew about vaso-vagal reflex reactions, but I had never thought about laughter causing them. I got so tickled I passed out. Note I said tickled not pickled. The young man who did my cardiogram at the emergency room said it had happened to him once. Who knew?

What is perhaps most amazing is that I can’t tell you what was so funny. It was an inside joke between my brother and me. I may have to wear a helmet now because I love to laugh and I won’t give it up.