It's all right to cry.....

Have you ever thought about how weird crying is?

I did today when I was weeping in my car, a habit that I seem to be quite unable to break, of late, while driving home from work. I am quite aware that my tears are not being caused by anything outside of myself and my frustrations with my day job.... but sometimes they just keep coming down. The tears, like all else, always pass, but today, I turned my frown upside down by thinking about the fact that crying is pretty f'd up. Salty water that comes from our eyes when we are upset, overjoyed, afraid, inspired.... ? Really, what a bizarre thing for we humans, and only we humans, to do!

Please let me clarify that I am not wacko--at least not completely--I'm just a cryer. Some people can't cry, I can't stop myself. I have been told that it's endearing, a useful tool for release, a sign that I am comfortable with my emotions, healthy. I would tell you that I enjoy a good cry, but the truth is, crying is a real pain in my ass. There is nothing cute about being an adult cry baby.

Friends and family members have an uncanny sixth sense to read my crying 'aura' before I even know that the tears are on their way. In fact, people who don't even know me are hardly able to say 'Are you okay, ma'am?' without mysteriously opening the floodgates. I have been told by stern relations that I need to grow a thicker skin, or settle down and knock it off-- but I swear to you that it's beyond my control! Would I ever like to be the Butta-cup that sucks it up if I could!

Crying is a real drag, to be sure, when it is not evident what the trigger is. Crying is inconvenient when you need to work, especially if your job involves teaching or performing for others. It's a waste of a chance to be happy. Aside from the annoyance factor, the crying hangover that next day is dreadful-- headaches and sleepiness abound. The thick phlegm that can come out of facial cavities while crying is unladylike and disgusting. Puffy eyes are unstoppable with the best of creams or coldest of cucumber slices-- and forget about eye-makeup-applying on swollen lids. I have searched passionately for mascara that can hold on to my blond lashes for dear life when weepiness calls. (**Note to all cryers: Revlon Luxurious Lengths has great staying power and conveniently, it washes off with soap and water!)

To all of you non-cryers out there, a psychologist would likely say to you that you had better have an outlet for the repressed emotions you must have stockpiled. But as a veritable faucet, I say kudos to you. Allow me to cry all of you a river.

Some a propos lyrics, from Marlo Thomas' forever-inspiring film, Free to be you and Me
sniff.. sniff... a tear!

It's All Right to Cry
by Carol Hall, Performed by Rosey Grier

It's all right to cry, crying gets the sad out of you
It's all right to cry, it might make you feel better.
Raindrops from your eyes, washing all the mad out of you
Raindrops from your eyes, it's gonna make you feel better

It's all right to feel things though the feelings may be strange
Feelings are such real things and they change and change and change
Sad 'n' grumpy, down in the dumpy
Snuggly, hugly, mean 'n' ugly
Sloppy, slappy, hoppy, happy
Change and change and change

It's all right to know, feelings come and feelings go
It's all right to cry, it might make you feel better