Tears

#174

Friend,

I used to think that tears were something that needed to be stopped, but now I realize that tears are something that needs to be shared.

I’ve never been much of a crier (Maybe being a Cubs fan hardens your heart to frequent disappointment.), so when I started dating my now wife Heather, who would cry at 30-second Hallmark commercials, let’s say I knew that she and I were different. I even jokingly called her “the faucet” because her tears flowed so frequently.

Some of you are like Heather. You cry happy tears, sad tears, overwhelmed tears, frightened tears, etc. For someone like me, who doesn’t tear up easily or often, it was a little overwhelming. Here I am, 19 years old, and my girlfriend keeps crying; either I must be doing something wrong, or I must be strong enough to build a dam to stop the tears.

Decades later, I have a different approach.

Tears used to scare me, but now they serve to honor me. I am thankful that this person, whether it is my wife or someone coming into my office, is vulnerable enough to share their pain, their passion, their heart with me.

Tears are not just water coming out of someone’s eyes; they are a piece of someone’s overflowing heart for others to see.

I used to think that tears were something that needed to be stopped, but now I realize that tears are something that needs to be shared.

Love,

Aaron