Reader Responses to Why Carroll Laughed

One of Carroll’s sons writes:
He was so happy to visit God. He always felt this was a temporary stop. That our body was a vehicle with which to carry our spirit and the Lord. It was our Soul that was our being. The more he studied he became convinced of and could not wait to see his creator. He wanted Rita to have this same comfort of being because he too loved her deeply and this was his greatest gift to her. Dad also saw the good in things, I think about he and my mother every day still. I as well think of Rita and the joy and love she brought to his life. He laughed because this was a new adventure he looked forward to. He cremated his body because, 1) He did the same to his dad when he died and often suffered from that haste and convenience. It was a sort of penance for him. 2) Remember, his body he was convinced was nothing more than a vessel provided by God to carry his soul and spirit while on earth. It was nothing worth keeping. I am sure Rita understood this very well.

My idea:
I think he laughed because he had seen the gates of heaven and he knew our concern for him was not necessary. In his view, we should be more concerned for ourselves, after all we have to stay and fight life. He gets to go home and we have to stay.

My sister, who knew Carroll a little better, writes from insight:
I have a different interpretation of Carroll's laugh during his transition from earth to heaven during his time in the hospital after his heart attack. This is my interpretation. Carroll York loved humor and jokes-he absolutely loved to laugh. Carroll was always telling the Catholic Priest jokes, in fact, they exchanged jokes almost daily. I think Carroll was laughing because he was exchanging humor and happiness AND laughter with the Lord. Remember, humor was one of his favorite experiences.

Another Person writes:
It seems obvious that Caroll could see the angels in his room and saw Jesus approaching. Since he probably was speechless and could not tell either person not to worry, all he could do was laugh and giggle because of his home going. He knew they would be sad, and hoped to convey his joy in the only way he could, and in a way was telling them not to worry.

Another Person writes:
Carroll laughed because he understood how foolish we are to fear stepping from this world into the presence of our Lord! He laughed because he saw his open door, and the delight that awaited him!