Stephenson Family Ties

is for tear jerkers.

If it hasn't already been confirmed in your minds yet, how strange I am, this post will seal the deal that Im may be certifiable. You will now learn what brings me to tears. Items are listed in no particular order or itemized by how many tissues I'll use. Its just a list of what brings tears to my eyes.
* a beautiful dance. I love all dance. I long to dance. It can be Michael Jackson or ballet or even the wild stuff on tv these days. I love to watch dance. Its been known to bring tears to my eyes.
* music. Where do I begin to explain how music has touched me. Music is universal.
* awe and wonder. I'll try to be more specific. Here is an example of what I mean. There is a scene in Jurassic Park, where the team of scientists are driving in a jeep taking a tour of the island. The jeep climbs to a rise that over looks a valley. The scene that follows is still as moving to me now as it was the first time I saw it. The Jeep stops and the passengers look out in wonder at a valley that is full of dinosaurs! Living, breathing dinosaurs! I well up every time. I feel their awe and increduliousness. Before their eyes is the thing that they haven't even dared to dream of happening!!We watched their dreams realized. Its gets me every time.
* a sunrise or sunset. It sounds cliche, but it happens to me.
* my new born babies. Or just about anybodies new born baby will do it to me.
* Hallmark commercials and even McDonald's commercials have been known to raise a tear in my eye or a lump in my throat.
* the closing scene in Diary of a Mad Black Woman. There's gospel singing and redemption! Mix those two things together and Im yanking kleenex as fast as I can.
* every letter from Anna causes me to shed tears of gratitude and joy, and a little bit for just plain missing her.
* I sometimes well up in the parking lot of Walmart. Because my cart with full, and my stomach is never hungry.
* I am often moved at church and not necessarily on fast Sunday.
* I've left many a tear in the folds of Lachlans' neck as I smother him with kisses.
* quite a few times when Im watching Bob work at the computer or when Im listening to him deal with a difficult phone call- my heart wants to pop with emotions. Thanksgiving, love, bliss, contentment all wrapped up in the sweet bundle of a great life!
* climbing out of Havasupi this last time. I was overcome with emotion and sobbed. I still haven't figured out what that was all about really. Mostly it had to do with gratitude.
* Patriotic events. Oh my gosh, Im a basket case!! Our national anthem - always moves me. Parades, stirring speeches, and especially the time we watched the aircraft carrier that my brother was on, along with thousands of other soldiers, return to port! Wow
* Women's Conference does a number on my tear ducts as well.
* I'll sniffle through a wondrous nature program on tv.
* Italy did it to me almost every day I was there.
* the views from the window in Cancun gave cause to cry too. Such beauty!

As you can see, I cry much more frequently over happy things. Its been a very long time since I've cried because of grief and or pain. (Knock on wood quick!!) July may be the most recent time. And even then I was just feeling really sorry for myself and missing Anna-from the moment we got in the car to take her to the MTC. (those MTC check-in days are the WORST) The other times where it just plain hurt and I cried and cried would be when I lost my two puppies. (still cant talk about it)
So there it is again!! I have been so very, very blessed. My heart is tender. My boys roll their eyes. And Im just going to be grateful that I continue to 'feel' things in this tough and calloused world. I don't and won't hide my tears.
Im a sucker for tear jerkers!!!

P.S. T also stands for tired. I think Im getting tired of this alphabet thing I've started. It may be because I only have the 'hard' letters left or my brain has begun to burn out. At this writing Im feeling boredom, and fatigue, and find the whole thing tiresome. But...Im not a quitter, I'll endure to the finish. I will admit that its been a good impetus for writing material- what will I come up with next? gulp