There are a lot of sounds I like….sounds that evoke emotion or take me to a specific memory…the roar of the ocean, church bells, a college football team taking the field for a game, the music that starts the Today Show, my husband’s laugh, strong wind, most music, marching bands, the National Anthem, the crack of the bat.

 But, by far, the very BEST sound in the world: my children laughing.  I’m not talking about a quick laugh, a snort or even a little giggle.  I mean that deep belly laugh. You know the one that starts in their toes.  You can actually feel it moving through their little bodies…and when it erupts from their mouths, you can’t help but laugh along.  It is the sound of pure joy. 

This noise, this belly laugh, this sound of pure joy, it is the soundtrack to my soul.  If it was the only thing I heard for the rest of my life, it would be enough.  I am smiling right now just thinking about them.

And the best part is…that laugh is so easy to come by.  I spend hours of my day trying to get them into their best giggle box state, but the truth is, it is so simple.  They belly laugh when I tickle them.  They belly laugh when I make faces at them, or when they make faces at each other.  They belly laugh when we all sing together.  They belly laugh when I ask for kisses and hugs.  They belly laugh when I mimic them. They REALLY belly laugh when Daddy plays with them.

I have a quiet laugh.  I have always been envious of people with big, loud, confident laughs.  I think I’m going to work on that.  I’ll focus on the pure joy of childhood and see if I can’t find my big laugh.