It isn’t difficult these days to encounter something aggravating. For starters, turn on the television. Every news channel does its best to pull us in different directions about the economy, wars, immigration, political turmoil and much more. Sometimes it seems there’s no longer anything to laugh about. Even so, a chuckle can often be found with a simple glance in the mirror. This is especially true — with a little help from our friends.

Bob was a highly regarded fellow in Minot. He had lost a leg in an accident at a young age and wore an artificial replacement. Years ago, I stood on the practice green at what is now the Vardon Golf Club as a foursome of others finished their round on the 18th and walked past on their way to the club house. One of the fellows in the group was easy to recognize. Bob always walked with a limp. One of his pals piped up, looking at the scorecard. “Wow Bob! Looks like you shot just three over today! I’ve gotta get myself a leg like yours so I can shoot a round like that.” Bob, as well as his golf pals, all laughed.

In the early ’70s, the Dutch Hill Tavern was just across the street from the Kansas City dental school I attended. It wasn’t unusual for classmates to gather there on Friday afternoons for a brew and reflection on the week’s activities. I sat in a booth with Tom and Gary one Friday when Paul limped into the bar and joined us. Paul had tangled with a hay baler on the farm years earlier and also had an artificial leg. He ordered a beer, then said with a breathy sigh, “Man, what a week that was. My feet are killingme.”

Gary reacted. “Paul, don’t you mean your FOOT is killing you?” Paul laughed harder than the rest of us.

You might know that Lions Clubs typically focus on assisting those who are visually impaired. It so happens that a particular Minot Lions member who has been an important part of shaping several important activities of our club is visually impaired. At the conclusion of a meeting, I needed a ride. I asked if he could drive me home, adding that I had checked my life insurance recently and was paid up. He broke into laughter along with his fellow Lions members.

There’s likely no end to what is best never said to another unless a strong friendship exists. Even so, good friends do us a favor at times — when they point out our flaws or limitations, as well as their own, in ways that enable us to laugh with them.

Playing with the Minot Symphony years ago, I shared a music stand with Lynne Rumney, an exceptionally accomplished violinist. During rehearsal, we encountered a quite difficult passage over which I struggled. When the maestro stopped the orchestra to provide instructions for the woodwinds, I leaned toward Lynne and whispered, “I’m not sure I can handle this part, considering the tempo.”

“Don’t worry,” Lynne whispered back. “Just do what I do – turn your bow upside down and saw away like crazy. No one will ever know.” Her comedic response had us both chuckling over the tempting but ridiculous idea.

Similarly, during a phone call with a friend recently, I confided that the neuropathy affecting my legs has become more noticeable now in my hands. With a quivering voice, I shared that after 46 seasons, I’m questioning the ability to play violin with the symphony much longer. His response showed no sympathy. “What’s the trouble? Are you afraid you’ll play worse than you usually do?”

Being on either giving or receiving ends of banter between good friends can be tricky. But, at times when the world might seem to be falling apart, friendships strong enough to help laugh together at what’s found in the mirror are the best friendships of all.