Let's Make April Fools' Day Great Again
Embracing Absurdity in a World of Seriousness
When did we all become so serious? What happened to the fun of April Fools' Day? In our household this Holiday took real advance planning and prep. My sister and I would even work together to outwit dad and mom. But now it seems like we've all collectively lost our sense of humor. The next generation has to be so on guard not to say the wrong thing or offend anyone that they feel they have to police us and constantly reign us in and reminding us: “Mom/Gran/Lize — that is soooo inappropriate!!!”
Perhaps our pranks were too crude, but we could not get enough of the laughter and trying to figure out how to get dad with the classic water-balanced-over-the-door trick. Or the salt and sugar switchero or the fake dog poo on the rug. Harmless, but funny jokes that kept us laughing at ourselves, our ridiculousness and silliness.
Do you remember waking up in the morning to put plastic wrap over your sister’s toilet seat, or waking up early enough to put her hand in warm water just in case you could get her to wet the bed on April fools Day? Now a days my kids might change the language settings on their friend's phone or set my desktop to a goat in a tutu or do something clever, but in my day we pulled basic pranks like switching mom’s coffee to decaf — who doesn't love a little caffeine withdrawal in the morning? Talk about running our ship to ground — in hindsight we should have added espresso shots!
Laughter is like the gold that binds our broken parts and makes our lives more beautiful. And oh do we need more humor in a world of heavy news headlines!!
The memories of the funny pranks we pulled as kids are still some of the best stories we tell today. Humor tells the story of our past, and it's one of the easiest ways to share and pass joy and give a sense of belonging and a story. I am still trying to figure out how dad was able to pull the prank of taking a cow up to our crazy cousin’s bedroom — it is a legendary prank in our family and seems to get better with age.
Even if they are the most basic pranks I bet if your think back to the classics, like putting a whoopee cushion on your teacher’s chair or putting a fake spider in or filling your friends locker with packing peanuts it brings back a time of connection. And let's not forget the time-honored tradition of fake news stories, like the one about canceling school because of a sewer line break. The one I am still cringing over is walking into the dining room my freshman year and seeing my intimates hanging on a clothes line — yes there was a banner attached to clarify ownership of the lacey items. But the prank was also followed by the biggest bear hug from a bunch of seniors breaking down any bravado or pretense of prancing around the school yard.
So please note the fair warning: you have a full year to prep your pranks! Let's embrace the silly, the absurd, and the downright ridiculous. And if someone plays a prank on you, just remember: it's all in good fun. Unless, of course, they switch mom’s coffee with decaf. Then all bets are off. Let's make our loved ones laugh, even if it means risking our own dignity in the process. Because in the end, the memories of the silly pranks we pulled will be worth it. And who knows, maybe we'll even start a revolution of humor that will spread around the world. Let's make April Fools' Day great again!
One shy reader reminded me that I am not paying close enough attention and there were a lot of pranks this year: snl, an airline (Qantas I think) and even a fake art blog. What are some of the best pranks you have pulled or seen?
As you know, Celina, I love you for a zillion things. Thank you for reminding me once again that laughter is the shortest distance between two people!