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Is this funny?
I’ll admit I cracked a smile when I read it. Why? Was it amusing simply due to the fact that the message was delivered by an ignorant child? That must be it, right? Because if Grandma had walked into that hospital room and told Grandpa to hurry up and die, we’d all think she was a real bitch (that, and the story wouldn’t be a viral email). But… isn’t she still a bitch? Sure, she didn’t deliver her message to Grandpa, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t communicate it.
Now I feel bad for Grandpa. Perhaps he can’t wait to die and escape that horrid witch he’s been living with (sad). Or maybe he’s been selflessly devoting his time, money and strength to someone who doesn’t appreciate him (very sad).
Either way, Grandma and Grandpa should have had some serious discussions a long time ago so they could have avoided this scenario. And (you guessed it!) it’s possible they should have gotten divorced. Because really, if Grandma wants so badly to go to Disneyland then she should have gone before now. And if the whole Disneyland thing is really about celebrating and not about Disneyland itself, well then, she’s obviously been extremely unhappy for quite some time.
Then there’s Grandpa… on his deathbed, about to leave all of his earthly possessions to someone who won’t even miss him. Who wants to die under those circumstances?
…………………………
I realize I’ve taken a funny little email and cerebralized it to the point where there’s nothing amusing left. Oops. I couldn’t help myself… art imitates life… seemed like a good opportunity to examine the “life” component of it.
Is this funny?
Look, I know you’re making a point about divorce, but it’s wrapped up in a point about humor. The thing is… *most* jokes aren’t funny if you take the premise seriously.
The following joke was voted “funniest joke ever” on an internet survey:
A hunter calls 911 emergency services. “My friend was just killed by a bear. I don’t know what to do! Help!”
The 911 operator responds, “Please calm down sir. The first thing we need to do is make sure your friend is actually dead.”
“Hold on!” The dispatcher hears footsteps, followed by the cocking of a shotgun, and then a loud BANG!
“Okay,” said the man, “Now, what?”
—
It’s funny because it could never happen (or, at least, it *should* never happen). Much like the grandma speaking so glibly to her granddaughter. Sadly, as we both realize, what *should* never happen and what actually happens don’t always seem to line up quite right….
So…. you’re saying I shouldn’t have babbled so much and just cut to the point: “If you’re afraid to get divorced, imagine lying on your deathbed and knowing that your spouse can’t wait to trade your corpse for a Disney Character Breakfast.” ??
That reminds me of a joke.
A hundred-and-two-year-old man and his hundred-and-one-year-old wife appear before the judge to petition for divorce.
“But, you’ve been married for so long! You’re both over a hundred years old! Why divorce now?”
“We wanted to wait until the children were all dead.”
LOL… I used that one in a previous post….
Ah see, I read that one as being a bit of gallows humour. I can imagine me (or my family members) making dodgy jokes about ‘when you’re dead’, as a really sick sense of humour.
We may be weird though!