One of the best things about Claire was her raucous sense of humor. Anyone who had the joy of being very close to her knew how much hysterical laughter was involved. We’re talking gut-busting, face-hurting, tears streaming down your face kind of laughter. Giggles in the grocery store. Cackling in the kitchen. Screaming laughter at the dinner table. Endorpine-inducing, mind-erasing laughter. The thing about her was, she was deeply complex, with a menagerie of scars and unpleasant life experiences, but if you were lucky enough to get to that level of laughter with her, it was because she felt cool with you. There had been some preliminary exchange of vulnerability and soul-bearing to get to that level with her–but once you were there, there was slim chance that she’d ever push you away.

I have countless videos of just completely incoherent goofiness coming from my mom. I can’t watch them without being returned to the same state of insane hilarity. Goofiness and laughter are medicine!

Anyone got any funny Claire-isms to share?