During the years 2005-2008 Nola participated in a memoirs writing class at the Davis Senior Center. She wrote many stories about her childhood as well as experiences raising her own family. But one of her favorite aspects of the class was the privilege of hearing the stories of the other class participants as well as getting to know them personally. She retold many stories to me after each class and they were rich in unique experience and unexpected wisdom. One of her favorite writers was Margaret Shelley. Long before Nola joined the class, Margaret had been writing wonderful stories taken from her life experiences, including over 40 years working as a nurse. She and Nola struck a bond of friendship that extended beyond the class. Sadly, in 2006 Margaret suddenly began having difficulty speaking. Assuming the disorder was caused by a stroke, she attempted speech therapy to correct it; then, she received a final, terrible diagnosis: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Eventually Margaret could not comfortably read her stories in class although she continued to write and share them as long as possible. Because Margaret knew that her time was ending, she had all her collected stories bound and distributed them to the class and others. She also planned a party to celebrate her 80th birthday in January 2007 and invited the class, family and friends. Knowing the significance and finality of the party, as did most attending, Nola deliberately chose to help set a tone of playfulness and mirth for the occasion. Unbeknownst to anyone else, she decided to dress herself as a clown: Nurse Nola Kindheart. She had gotten the idea years before through attendance of several presentations on health and humor, including one at UC Davis, by the self-styled Laughter Coach Annette Goodheart (her actual name). Nola had also participated in several Laughter Conferences, one of which we both attended in Disneyland. At that memorable event the presenters included Steve Allen and Sid Cesar, as well as their sons. Steve Allen, Jr. is a medical doctor and eventually devoted his practice to promoting the therapeutic use of laughter. At the conference we attended, Dr. Allen passed out scarves to the audience and proceeded to instruct them in what he called Health through Creative Silliness. His expressed goal was not really to teach people how to juggle, but to get them to feel playful and laugh. Nola never ceased to praise the mind-expanding value of these conferences and the life lessons they offered. Using some of the props she acquired at the conferences, Nola sought to impart an important message to her fellow health workers at the UC Davis Student Health Center--laughter has unappreciated power to improve health and promote well-being. At one work event, she distributed three scarves to each of the assembled audience and told them to get up and juggle them. Nola’s request was met, I’m sure, with immediate skepticism and alarm from all those present; after all, in the harsh light of public exposure, most people fear acting silly or attempting a challenging task at which they had neither competence nor confidence. Soon, however, the whole assembly became a sea of floating, thrusting bright colors, echoing with the pervasive sound of laughter. The simple act of playful juggling was transforming. Borrowing from the antics of other laugh therapists she had met over the years, Nola set about to develop a costume tailored specifically for Margaret Shelley’s party that was sure to bring a smile or laugh to her and the other party-goers. Starting with the notion of a traditional nurse’s uniform, she donned a white nurse’s cap, a white lab coat over a RED blouse embellished with cherubs, white shorts and white nylons--but RED shoes. And for good measure, she also sported a bright RED fright wig. Instead of the traditional Red Cross on her uniform and cap, she emblazoned RED HEARTS—she even put a RED Heart sticker on her nose. Nurse Nola's name badge read: NURSE NOLA KINDHEART COMPASSIONATE LAUGHTER THERAPIST Below that was a second badge proclaiming: JEST FOR THE HEALTH OF IT LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE LIFE IS TOO SERIOUS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY With her she also carried a stethoscope and other nursing paraphernalia--even a RED hot water bottle. She also carried a medical bag labeled MIRTH AID KIT. Nola had a long sparkling necklace that sported many bright RED Hearts; she placed a similar necklace around Margaret’s neck upon arrival. Margaret’s signature color was purple, so all her clothes and even her boots were purple, as was the pervasive theme of the whole party. But Nola knew that, besides needing an excuse to laugh, Margaret needed a little RED in her life as well. Margaret died in June 2007, but I like to think that her departure from this world was made a little easier thanks to the playful ministering of Nurse Nola Kindheart. When Nola was being funny, she was also being serious. David Haggerty February 2012