Tears/Emotion

September 30tears;emotion;maddy crying

I have to begin today's blog differently than normal. If I said I was thankful for tears I might not be telling the entire truth. In fact, tears around me make me very uncomfortable because they tell me that someone is hurting. They are a real sign of emotion signifying an unpleasant experience. So if I said I was thankful for tears I would be partially lying. In addition, if I said I was thankful for being able to cry I would be lying because I haven't been able to cry for a long long time. I think that it is an unspoken rule of the man code that a guy does not cry. So we are taught not to do it.

But having said that, I am thankful that people can express their emotion through tears because it is a way to lessen the burden they are holding and keeps them from locking it all up inside. That's why it is probably stupid for men never to cry. Is it because we are so macho that we can't express our feelings? Is it because we do not have those deep emotions? Or is it because to be a man means to carry our burdens and others' burdens inside in order to stay strong (or at least appear strong). I think the latter answer may be the key. So guys, maybe we should all get together to watch a football game one night and then just break out in tears when our quarterback gets sacked!

Today's photo is another one of Madeleine. She has no reluctance to let you know how she feels when she is upset!

a tear

i saw a tear today

upon your face

and it seemed to wash away

all the pain

all the pain away

like a river it flowed

downward to the sea

imprisoned between the banks

but in the ocean to be set free

and like the water

that takes our sin away

your tears will wash

all the pain

all the pain away.

© rt tulley