Laughter Lockdown

Someone who endlessly makes me laugh is my Uncle Ty. I don’t know what it is about the two of us, but whenever we end up in the same room, we’re constantly cracking jokes and laughing until we’re nearly in tears. It’s the kind of contagious energy you can’t help but love. I’ll never forget one holiday at my grandma’s house. The whole family was gathered in the living room, and Uncle Ty and I were doing what we always do—goofing off, making each other laugh, and being totally over-the-top. Eventually, we got so out of hand that my grandma had enough. She sent me to her bedroom, shut the door behind me, and told me I wasn’t allowed to come out until I calmed down and “learned my lesson.” At the time, it was a shock—but that only made it funnier. Uncle Ty and I pointed at each other and laughed like, “Ha! Look what you got yourself into!” It’s still one of those moments we look back on and laugh about to this day. But as much as we love joking around, I’m also incredibly grateful for the big help he is to our family. He knows his way around mechanics—cars, motorcycles, you name it. Anytime someone in the family has an issue, he’s the one we call. Recently, my brakes were on the verge of giving out—honestly, I was probably on the verge of giving out too—and he stepped in without hesitation. Not only did he help me put on the new brakes, but he took the time to teach me as we worked on it together. That’s just who Uncle Ty is—funny, generous, and always ready to lend a hand. I wouldn’t trade that bond for anything.