Why the Cat Wears Glasses (and Other Inside Jokes)

The Moment It Began

It started with a pair of plastic sunglasses and a very patient cat.

Your loved one gently placed them on the cat’s head and whispered,

“Now she can read the newspaper.”

You both laughed—really laughed. The kind that catches you off guard because you haven’t laughed like that in days.

The cat’s new eyewear became a running joke. Weeks later, you’d find your loved one adjusting imaginary glasses on their coffee mug and whispering,

“She’s reading the headlines again.”

Seeing It Differently

You weren’t laughing to avoid reality. You were laughing because your nervous system needed it. You were laughing because it reminded you: there’s still joy in here.

In caregiving, humor becomes a secret language—

It bonds you through the fog
It softens hard moments
It says “I still see you,” without needing to explain anything

Inside jokes become touchstones. Not just silly moments—but evidence that something real still lives between you.

Try This: Invite the Laugh Back

Pick one of these gentle, joy-making ideas:

Revisit a shared joke—even if your loved one doesn’t fully remember it
Give an object a silly name: like Sir Sips-a-Lot, your favorite teacup who insists on chamomile after 3 p.m.
Play dress-up with hats, glasses, or scarves—let the dog wear a tie
Create a “news update” from your couch: “Sir Sips-a-Lot has declared nap time mandatory across the household.”

It doesn’t have to make sense. It just has to make you both smile.

Caregiver Reflection

When’s the last time something made you laugh during care?
What did your loved one find funny in the past—can that still be part of today?
How can you protect space for lightness, even in serious days?

Say it. Share it. Honor it. It matters.

Words to Carry

Laughter isn’t a distraction from love. It’s often where love goes to rest.

Your care doesn’t need to be quiet or heavy to be holy. Sometimes, the most sacred sound in the room is a shared giggle.

“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”—Victor Hugo

🗓️ Coming Next:

“Finding the TV Remote in the Freezer (Again)” Next week, we’ll explore forgetfulness, repetition, and how grace—not correction—can shape your response when every day feels like déjà vu.