I remember thinking (and praying) for a few days before the idea hit me. What if I made this food additive treatise personal. What if I took a day in the life of a character (Manny) and, as he lived out his day, I stopped that narrative and wrote how each additive was affecting his body, then continued with the narrative of his day. What an idea! So, in order to write this I had to go to a supermarket and with yellow pad and pen in hand, I wrote down the ingredients of all the food Manny was going to eat. Then I went home and gathered all the books that spoke of additives, looked up how they affected Manny's body, then wrote the article. It was well received and all three parts were featured in a "Best of" volume at the end of the year. Later that year, I remember, I got a letter from a professor at a local college asking permission to use my writing for his classes. What an honor!

Why did I mention all that? Glad you asked. The magazine had a humor column written by Larry. I don't remember his last name. But this poem was written for and about him. His column was called, "The Inner Jester." Always very funny stuff and he would end his column with, "God bless." God bless YOU, Larry, wherever you are.

To the Inner Jester by Vic Zarley I've laughed My soul was in stitches Healing I've laughed Until a calming peace A release occurred- Then, within, I sensed- Funny cap on the top of his head, Tattered suitcase in his hand- My inner jester, Having done his work,    leaving And I bade him farewell Until the next time When, again I might laugh and heal And feel my funny oneness With the Creator And my inner jester will doff his cap, Unpack his tattered case, And tickle-Wisdom my senses And fickle-know my straight laced and narrow problems Into a curved and windy breeze And with a passing, "God Bless" I'll rest And laugh through it all Through every bit of it I'll laugh And laugh And laugh “A Merry heart doeth good, like a medicine.” Proverbs This song is an inspiration to sing. It could be beneficial to sing along with this song until you know it by heart because it is healing. It proclaims the truth. And it sets us free to accept God's help because it puts Satan and his demonic influence in their place—under the heel of God's truth that by faith we are made whole and well. Go ahead, do not take Satan's hold on this world, or on you, so seriously all the time. When you come under attack, sing away your doubt and rejoice in the truth, embedded permanently in your mind and heart. You have the key. You have it now. It is uncompromising faith in God and His infallible ability to save you, once and for all. You can laugh all the way to the bank on that one. He is yours forever and you are His as well. Be joyous in that truth. I'm Laughing Now by Vic Zarley (Chorus) I'm laughing now so joyfully I'm laughing every day I'm laughing at those fear thoughts Til those fear thoughts go away I'm laughing and I'm happy In a way I've never been This world I've seen as sad and mean Is coming to an end Fear thoughts used to scare me Used to drive me up the wall They left me shaking, wishing that I had no thoughts at all Fear thoughts used to grip me With their fingers, cold as ice And now I know my savior's here I'm one with Jesus Christ (chorus) The walls will all come tumbling down The tensions all will cease Love will flow with certainty When all our fear's released And fear will disappear like boogey Men when lights are on When we're sad we're listening to Satan's favorite song (chorus) Don't fear the world will end your life It can't end what is true What you believe, what you perceive Can change, but not what's you So, yes, the world we know will end But soon what's new is here And laughing children of the Lord Will dwell in love, not fear (bottom chorus) We're laughing now so joyfully We're laughing every day We're laughing at those fear thoughts Till those fear thoughts go away We're laughing and we're happy In a way we've never been This world we've seen as sad and mean Is coming to an end It's coming to an end