The ability to laugh and to cry is one of the marks which distinguishes human beings from other animals. It is the ability to enter into life, to feel and to share joys and sorrows. This sharing of light and shadow, this ability to live both above and below the flat surface of things within the compass of companionship is one of the greatest gifts of life. Choose a companion with whom there is always shared laughter, it will never put money in the bank but it will ease many rough places along the way.
(Robert Rodenmayer, from the book "I, John, Take Thee, Mary")