Waterworks

There are some people that cry at anything. One of my favorite people ever, Sherma, does this. She cries when she's happy, she cries when she's sad...she even cries when someone else is happy. Her voice gets high and squeaky and you roll with it. It's just who she is.

For those who know me personally, you are aware that I am not one to spout tears or get overly emotional. Or at least I didn't used to.

It all started back in the day. One of my best friends that I had grown up with my entire life passed away. There were tears, lots of them. I then vowed to my dramatic 14 year-old self that I would never cry again-and I didn't, for a really long time. If I was mad or sad, I usually got really quiet. Still do; just ask Brian. It's actually a genetic thing, most of my siblings also do this. Yet, rarely did I have a good cry. Possibly it had something to do with the tremendous headache I have afterward if I start "leaking" (name that movie).

Then I got pregnant.

I need not inform you of how ones body undergoes an enormous change when carrying a child. You were in health class in junior high and had to attend maturation day, same as me. You were most likely stunned into awkward silence when watching the pancake video, same as me; but this post is not a science lecture.

I would cry at anything while pregnant. Commercials, baby clothes, practically anything would get me welled up with tears. Just turning the television on was a set up for disaster. The news, A Baby Story, Disney...it was like an invitation to bring out the Kleenex. I also could not stop it no matter how much I wanted to. Take for example the conversation my boss and the HR rep had with me the day before I was going home for Thanksgiving and possibly to tell my dying grandmother good-bye for the last time. The Reader's Digest version went something like, "We're down sizing and we need you to pack up your desk and not come back". At that moment I started crying and couldn't stop for the life of me. I am usually really good under pressure and it takes weeks for things to even hit me full force emotionally (such as my baby being in the hospital or having heart surgery). That day, not so much. I was a blubbering mess. An angry blubbering, snot-dripping mess.

Things have gotten better since giving birth to the little boy. Yet, there are still things that set me off. It's the weird, little stuff that makes me well up now. Extreme Home Makeover does it every time. Put on a documentary about Hawaii and I am sobbing-practically anything about Hawaii will make me teary. Still, if I am angry or stressed I don't let it all out. You think I would take my own advice after telling people how to express themselves as my profession.

I say to all of you-let it all out.

Thank you, that will be $50.

So if you are ever contemplating being a parent or if you are one right now. I'll tell you this, invest in tissue. Costco has it in bulk. Because you're in for it. But with the tears also comes joy. Pure. Sweet. Joy.

Oh crap, I'm crying.