Tears – The cleanser of our souls
Both of our parents are NY Irish. Our Dad was U.S. Marine. Their only son was taken to heaven the very same day he was born, so our family consisted of them (the parental units as we lovingly nicknamed them), and us three girls. We were loved beyond words, raised in deep faith, and raised to be strong independent women. One of the most important lessons they taught to us was to make sure, no matter what happened, husband or no husband, that we had the ability to take care of ourselves. They made sure we were Irish tough, educated and self-sufficient. However, somewhere along the way, I added a caveat, that being Independent meant never crying. I told myself that tough women don’t cry, and for a very long time, I didn’t cry, and if I did, I made sure no one saw me.
The most devastating experience in my life to date has been the death of my father 22 years ago. He was young, and the three of us were even younger. I was not supposed to cry, so I walked through the next 13 years numbed on booze and trying not to cry. The 
journey in sobriety has taught me that tears water the soul. Tears can be a sign of overwhelming joy and happiness, or heartbreak and pain. They are an honest measure of what our heart feels at that moment. They are cleansing and cathartic. Most importantly, they are healing. Tears are the soul’s holy water.
So if along today’s journey something tugs at your heart and makes you cry, let them flow, let them heal, let them cleanse, because sometimes tears are the best words that the heart can speak.
Posted on July 16, 2012, in Health & Wellness and tagged crying, emotional cleansing, grief, health, joy and happiness, spirituality, tears, wellness. Bookmark the permalink. 10 Comments.
As always I am so proud of you and your informative, motivational chats. I read all of the lipstick chats but ony comment on a few.
Today’s blog made me cry, but as your father always told me my bladder was too close to my eyes because I cried a lot sometimes for sorrow, sometimes for joy and sometimes because I was so frustrated that was all I could do. So to think of tears as the soul’s holy water is the best explanation I can think of. Love you so much
I forgot about the bladder to close to your eyes explanation
. Funny guy. I forgot about frustration… I cry with that too now, Love you! Thanks for following.
Thanks so much for the post. I couldnt agree more. My dear friend and former pastor at SJN, Fr. Bob Hoffman, always told me that tears represented the presence of the Holy Spirit working in our lives; maybe helping us work through whatever pain or grief created those tears. Sometimes tears are joyful… what a blessing that is when we can cry with joy! Either way, I have learned not to surpress them, and to let them flow. It is easier to yield to tears, as it is with many things, yielding is easier.
Thanks for your valuable insight Kim. I love Fr. Bob and will keep the explanation of the presence of the Holy Spirit with me.
Boy, Kath, that post has me thinking. Remembering. Welling up with those tears you refer to. Bittersweet to open my email with that pic of you and Bob (as you know, like a dad to me) — love the happiness in that picture. Not sure who’s more proud, he of you or you of him. (Do I recall correctly that it was at my wedding??) Anyway, glad you’ve found a way to be strong without being stoic. You always had a way, like no one else, of making me laugh ’til I cried…the best kind of tears! Too much to say here…I may respond privately too
You are correct my dear friend! That photo was taken at your wedding. Another great example of tears….laughing until you cry. I love those moments and recall many you and I had. My Dad sure did love you… #4 if I am correct
Yes ! I agree . I wish I could cry now . Instead my anger is controlling the cleansing tears .
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Hey Fee….it is funny sometimes the things we remember…. I remember being at the kitchen table with Mom and Dad and whoever happened to be there and laughing until we were all crying!! For a very long time I thought crying was a bad thing too. Then I read somewhere that God takes all your tears and eventually turns them into laughter and joy. I hope He is keeping track!!! I now know that there are many reasons for tears and it is okay to cry. I cried with joy and relief last week when the Dr. finally said Brendan’s heart was looking good. I will continue to let them flow……
Thanks for the insight and memories. I love everyone’s contributions! This is so why we write. So many, many thanks.
Beautiful. In every way.