The title “Zella Bella’s Gaggle of Giggles” is in memory of three beings whom I love with all my heart.

Zella was the name of a friend of mine who suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease. Throughout her decline, she never once lost her ability to laugh, nor her sense of play. Even when she reached the point of her disease where she was non-communicative, she would still fall into fits of giggles at the drop of a hat. All I had to do was look at her with a silly face and she would burst into peals of laughter before making a face back at me. She taught me that no matter what life throws at you, laughter is good for the soul.

The word “Bella” is for a wonderful horse named “Belle”. She was my pride and joy before suddenly, and without warning, she crossed the Rainbow Bridge. It was a long time before I could think back on our time together without tears, but gradually happy thoughts replaced the sad ones. The thing I remember most fondly about her was her love for Peeps. She would turn herself inside out for them. The staler, the better! She always made me laugh.

Finally, “Gaggle of Giggles” is the term my father used for any gathering of young children. He loved them! His imagination had no bounds, and many of games and stories I use as “Zella”, I learned from him. He passed away from cancer in late 2016, and I miss him. I can’t think of a better way to honor his memory than by sharing his joy of laughter with little children.

So, there you go. The etymology of “Zella Bella’s Gaggle of Giggles”.  💓