I heard a comedian talking about audience response to his stand-up routine - he was astonished to notice someone choosing to say LOL rather than actually LAUGH OUT LOUD. I'm not sure what we can read from this, but I know that it made me sad.

I am a person who laughs out loud, sometimes snorting and often even slapping my knee. Over the years I haven't been able to help but notice how differently people respond to my expressions of mirth. One camp will say "gee your laugh is loud" in an unenthusiastic way, whilst the opposite camp thinks having me guffawing helps them to access their own funny bone.

When I first met my perfect partner in life I was immensely attracted to his wit and joke-telling ability - perhaps part of the reason he was attracted to me could have been the vocal appreciation I showed. I would happily give way to laughing fits that became tears and struggling for breath. The resulting sore cheeks and rib cage I felt as a blessing.

Luckily we have managed to pass this appreciation of humour on to our children, though the teenagers will sometimes stifle their amusement, I'm hoping it's just a stage. Don't hold back, don't just text it, do it.