In this quote from James Patterson's "Sam's Letters to Jennifer," the idea is to encourage people to find humor in past situations rather than dwelling on negativity. If a moment in the past seems funny now, it’s better to acknowledge that and enjoy it in the present rather than waiting until later to laugh about it.

The message emphasizes that our initial reactions to events often magnify their seriousness, but with time and perspective, things usually appear less damaging or overwhelming. It promotes a positive outlook by suggesting that many hardships are temporary and that humor can be a helpful way to cope and move forward.