B.C. seniors credit 'laughter yoga' in their enduring love story
As Sarah Kendall and Gene Furbee look back on their enduring love story, they can’t help but laugh.
“It seemed to fit,” 84-year-old Gene says. He became a "laughter yoga" teacher more than a decade ago. “It‘s what we both needed at that time.”
They discovered through the practice that if you start to laugh deliberately, you will eventually find yourself unable to stop laughing genuinely.
“You let go in that moment,” Gene smiles. “And just let the body take over.”
But letting go physically can be a challenge when you’re carrying around so much emotionally.
“It was an aneurysm, a stroke in my brain,” Sarah says. After she was hospitalized in a coma for months, she was left partially paralyzed. “It was a thoroughly horrible thing.”
The situation often felt hopeless, until the couple happened upon a public "laughter yoga" demonstration and tried to give it a try.
While the positive benefits for immediate for Gene, it was more of a struggle for Sarah.
“I said I will just fake it until I make it,” Sarah smiles. “And then I would [really] start to laugh.”
For more than a decade, whenever they find themselves stuck in a moment, either Gene or Sarah will start laughing, and strive to transform the situation.
The couple were also inspired to stop resisting life’s challenges, and start learning from them.
“You realize this is the way it is,” Gene says with a laugh. “And here I am.”
They also began searching for the potential gift in even the most adverse of moments.
“I decided I wanted to love the most I could in every day,” Sarah smiles.
Which is why Sarah says she’s learned to feel grateful for her stroke, because it’s inspired them both to live a more loving life.
“[Sarah] is a bright light,” Gene smiles before laughing. “She shines!”
And Sarah says Gene is genuinely joyful, before bursting into a genuine laugh. “We love each other!”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6949994.1720031014!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'I'm not leaving': Biden meets with top Democrats, rejects calls to abandon campaign
U.S. President Joe Biden vowed to stay in the 2024 presidential race during a call with campaign staff on Wednesday and sought to reassure top Democrats on Capitol Hill that he is fit for reelection despite his shaky debate performance last week.
'Not my finest moment:' Police called to dispute between Ottawa city councillor and daycare owner
Ottawa city councillor Clarke Kelly says he is not apologizing after a Kinburn daycare owner alleged he screamed and swore in front of children during a dispute that saw police called to the scene on Wednesday afternoon.
Is Greece's six-day work week an option in Canada? An expert weighs in
As some Canadian companies explore offering staff a four-day work week, experts are watching Greece's move closely and suggest it could work in Canada.
Irish prime minister 'appalled' by Montrealer's death after alleged assault
Ireland's prime minister says he's "absolutely appalled" by an assault in the country's capital that resulted in the death of a tourist from Montreal.
Ontario man suffers cardiac arrest in Florida. This is why insurance won't cover his $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who wanted to spend time with his family in Florida was hospitalized after suffering a cardiac arrest at the airport as he was about to fly back to Canada.
No tsunami threat after multiple earthquakes recorded off Vancouver Island
Five earthquakes were recorded in quick succession off the British Columbia coast on Wednesday afternoon.
Hudson's Bay Co. to purchase U.S. department store Neiman Marcus: reports
Hudson's Bay Co. has reached a deal to buy luxury department store chain Neiman Marcus, according to media reports.
Trudeau focused on governing, fighting right-wing populism following byelection loss
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been taking calls from different members of his Liberal caucus following the party's historic byelection loss in a Toronto riding last week, but the prime minister said his focus remains on governing.
Canadian feels 'abandoned' in Mexico after WestJet strike
More than 1,100 WestJet flights and counting have been cancelled since last Thursday, when a strike by the airlines mechanics union grounded travel plans for more than 100,000 customers.