LA: Welcome back to Special Needs Daily, because sometimes laughter is the only therapy we can afford. I know I promised to introduce you to the person who taught me how to laugh through some of life's hardest moments. And don't worry, that episode is still coming. Life just did what life does, especially when you're trying to coordinate two very busy women. So while we're working out the details, I thought I'd jump on real quick and answer a few questions that came in through my website after the podcast launched. First of all, thank you. Thank you for the encouragement, the kindness, the support, and for taking the time to reach out. It honestly means so much to me. And if you ever want to send me a question, a story, or just say hello, you can email me anytime at la at specialneedsdaily dot com. So the first question was, how do you do it all alone? Short answer: you don't have a choice. You simply do what needs to be done day after day, because my boys don't get a day off from autism, so neither do I. Whether you're parenting alone or you have an incredible support system beside you, every special needs parent I know will move heaven and earth to make our children's lives just a little easier. We willingly carry the hard parts if it means that they don't ever have to. I hope that answers that question. The next question I received was, do you actually laugh and look for the funny in things? Or is that just your gimmick? Because I don't see how you could. Okay then. my answer absolutely a thousand times yes. Listen, if I don't laugh, somebody's gonna end up on dateline. I'm kidding, mostly. The truth is, I used to internalize everything: negative people, negative words, negative situations. And being a self-proclaimed hermit now, but that's an episode down the road. I spent a lot of time sitting with those thoughts. Then cancer changed me. It taught me something I wish I'd learned decades earlier. We feed our minds every single day. If I'm gonna fill mine with something, I'd rather it be hope. Than fear, gratitude instead of bitterness, and certainly laughter instead of misery. That doesn't mean I don't get sad. I absolutely do. If you listen to my first episode, you will hear how hard it was for me to get through the bit about my mom. It doesn't mean I don't get angry, because I absolutely do. It just means I refuse to unpack my bags and live there anymore. I truly believe that changing my mindset helped save my life. Well, that along with an incredible oncologist and the grace of God. Choosing joy, even in tiny moments, helped carry me through a season that nobody expected me to survive. There's a reason the saying laughter is the best medicine has been around for centuries. In fact, Proverbs 1722 says A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. I truly, truly believe laughter is the best medicine in a lot of cases. Laughter is now my new co pilot, but I will never stop missing my first one. Now I know some of you were thinking, LA, that person who emailed you was being pretty snarky. Maybe. Or maybe they were genuinely curious. A few years ago, I probably would have assumed the worst. Now I try to assume the best. I was on the phone recently with an old friend. Well, she's probably more of an acquaintance these days. She was giving me a list of things I should try for my boys. Because apparently I don't already spend every waking hour researching therapies, treatments, programs, specialists, diets, supplements, sensory gadgets, and enough information to earn an honorary medical degree. Now she doesn't have special needs children or grandchildren. But we've all had well-meaning people offer advice. And honestly, I know their hearts are usually in the right place. Anyway, after giving me yet another suggestion, she says, Well, that's just my two cents. And you know what immediately popped into my head? Well, your two cents is probably why they stopped making pennies. I totally had to slap both hands over my mouth so those words didn't sprint right out of it. I'm still laughing about it. That's definitely going on a t-shirt. Special needs daily merch might have just been born. Okay, we're wrapping up. I'd like to ask a favor. If you enjoyed this episode, please share this with another special needs parent who could use a laugh today. Because the more we find each other, the lighter this journey becomes. And before I go, whether prayer is already part of your life or you're simply willing to borrow mine for the next thirty seconds, this is for you. Heavenly Father, thank you for walking beside us every day, especially on the days we're too tired to take another step. Please fill us with the strength, stamina, patience, and compassion we need to care for the ones you've entrusted to us. And Lord, in the middle of all the chaos, appointments, meltdowns, paperwork, and endless responsibilities, please make room for laughter. Remind us that joy and hardship can exist in the very same moment and help us never lose our ability to laugh through the tears. Amen. Thank you so much for listening. And let me be the one to tell you today you are doing way better than you think.