My tears welled up as she sang today. A song about Jesus. His LOVE for us. Those tears had threatened all week. Tears for another friend, a dear one, whose college memories I share. A friend facing a devastating diagnosis, fighting a mighty battle. Tears that have the right to fall.
And I fought. I fought the tears. I kept them from falling. Blocking out the thoughts. Blocking out the song. Building a wall. Hardening my heart.
I looked around as she sang. Looked at stoic faces, tears of their own hiding behind the walls of their own making.
And I wondered why. A family, brothers and sisters… Husbands and wives… We all hide our tears.
Are we afraid? Are we afraid they will think us weak?
Could it be, the real strength lies with those who are not afraid to feel?
Perhaps the real gift is letting the tears fall where they may…
this is so true, letting your tears falls is a gift and it is a strength not weakness !
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing urself.
Oh, Fatima... I wish I knew the words to say. I can feel your heavy heart through these words you so bravely share with us. My sincerest condolences to you and your loved ones...
ReplyDeleteI read this, and reread this again because I tried to picture what you were seeing from where you stood. I don't know why we do this, but you are so right in that so many of us do. I really had to think about this for awhile, and I know I can only speak for myself, but I think that I try to hold back the tears because I don't like the feeling of being vulnerable in front of people. Maybe it takes a really strong person to be able to feel vulnerable and "safe" at the same time?