Strong Women Draw Strength from Laughter

Josie Luke

More than 200 women from Emery and Carbon counties spent nearly an hour alternating between laughter and sympathy while listening to Amanda Dickson, the afternoon keynote speaker at the Southeastern Utah Women’s Conference.

Attending the conference because Delena Fish was getting the award for woman of the year, I stayed to hear Dickson. While I was listening to her, I looked around at the women in the room, including Mayor Hilary Gordon, who I was sitting by, and had an epiphany. I realized that many of the strong women I have met have used laughter as a way to deal with stress.

The mayor was the morning keynote speaker, and had shared with those there her experiences since she accepted the position, telling the women in the room, “Any one of you could do what I did.” I suspect that may be true for some, but I have known Gordon since I was small and have been awed by the strength she has shown. I also know she loves to laugh.

Dickson also revealed both her strength and her wonderful sense of humor, relating the story of being told that her youngest child had severe health problems. She said that after leaving the doctors, she had the thought, “How am I going to laugh after this?” Anyone who was at the conference had the opportunity to hear that she is still laughing, as she shared the strength she has with the women there, helping them to laugh, even though many may have had the experience to ask the same question lately.

For many in the area, the last year has been a difficult one. Dr. Susan Polster, chair of the committee over the conference felt that such an experience was just what women needed. “We just need to laugh more now. We’ve gone through a hellacious last 12 months between Carbon and Emery Counties, with Crandall Canyon and mines closing. For one day we got to laugh and have a good time,” she stated.

It was a wonderful experience to watch. To see everyone so captivated by Dickson, not to mention being captivated myself, was a joy. If not for the camera in my hand I would have forgotten I was actually there to work. I wish I could draw a picture with words that would describe the scene in the room, but it isn’t possible.
In her address, Dickson pointed out that joy looks different in each person. “I know it looks different In every person. I mean I don’t think it looks like ridiculous, over-the-top enthusiasm like it does in me, in most people. Sometimes it’s quiet. It doesn’t have to look like a Disneyland ride. It doesn’t have to feel like some sugared cotton candy kind of happy. It is different for each of us,” she described.

Being joyful and laughing is good for women. R. Morgan Griffin, who writes for WebMD, wrote, “Feeling rundown? Try laughing more. Some researchers think laughter just might be the best medicine, helping you feel better and putting that spring back in your step.

“Yet researchers aren’t sure if it’s actually the act of laughing that makes people feel better. A good sense of humor, a positive attitude, and the support of friends and family might play a role, too. But while we don’t know for sure that laughter helps people feel better, it certainly isn’t hurting.”

He goes on in the article to write, “We change physiologically when we laugh. We stretch muscles throughout our face and body, our pulse and blood pressure go up, and we breathe faster, sending more oxygen to our tissues. People who believe in the benefits of laughter say it can be like a mild workout -- and may offer some of the same advantages as a workout.”

For those who attended the conference, I believe it was an enlivening experience—A group of strong women having a wonderful time. Quoting Dr. Polster, “We just needed a reason to come together as women and laugh.”

Emery County: A Pretty Great ‘State’

Kathy Ockey

We have a unique people right here in Emery County. There couldn’t be people anywhere that are as distinctive as the citizens of our county. We could possibly be our own little country. We could have Canada to the north (Carbon County) and Mexico to the south (Sevier County). OK, maybe we couldn’t be our own country – maybe our own little state – a state of well-being.

Only in Emery County…

You dial a wrong number and can still talk for fifteen minutes.

Pets are named after your ancestors.

You know a man by the make, model, year and color of truck he drives (and it usually has a gun rack).

Someone you’ve never met knows everything about you.

You see a herd of cows going down your street.

When someone says “funeral potatoes” you know what it is and have the recipe memorized.

You and your husband go on a Friday night date and see all of your friends at Wal Mart.

The only time there is a traffic jam is when there is a siren in your neighborhood.

Social hour is 10 a.m. at the Post Office.

Going “Eastering” doesn’t have to be explained.

Everyone knows your relatives – and likes you anyway.

You can go 20 miles west and see beautiful mountains or east for spectacular desert scenes.

Going to the Co-Op or IFA is better than going to the mall.

There are only two seasons – hot and windy and cold and windy.

You marry your husband and find out you are fourth cousins.

There isn’t any smog, inversion or backups on Bangerter.

A favorite dessert is called “better than ‘you know what’ cake.

You go outside in the morning and your garden spot has been tilled for you.

You know the difference between a “Steak House” and a “Stake House”.

You can get heat stroke and frost bite in the same month.

When a driver doesn’t signal you still know where he will turn.

You haggle over prices at a yard sale.

Your idea of an entertaining evening is sitting in front of Maverik watching people.

High school basketball is more popular than the Super Bowl.

Everyone is family, whether they are related or not.

You can see the stars at night.

Your old high school classmates teach your children – and your grandchildren - in school.

You can have someone tend your children without having a background check done on them.

Kids can play night games.

Your car breaks down on the road and you feel safe when someone stops to help you.

Your mother-in-law lives next door.

When driving you wave at everyone, even it you don’t know who they are – and they wave back.

The deer/elk hunt is considered a major holiday.

Tragedy strikes and everyone comes together for a common cause – to give aid, support, donations, counsel, or whatever else is need to devastated families and friends.

Helping each other comes as naturally as breathing to the people in Emery County. All of this is being watched by an entire nation, one that is awed by the strength of the people who are heartbroken and struggling with the loss of loved ones. This nation could learn a lesson from the example of the compassionate, caring people of Emery County. Yes, we do live in a great ‘state.’