Tears

I cry all the time lately.

Surprisingly, I haven't cried at the grocery store yet.

But I cry in the shower. There's water! With strong pressure! Its hot!

I cry when I run. No one is yelling at me! There are no pebbles landing around my feet! I'm not even sweating! People think I'm strong!

I cried at my friend's baby dedication ceremony. I cried when I saw a bunch of pregnant women in a room. I also giggled at the pregnant women. They look so goofy with their distended bellies, outie belly buttons and skin tight shirts. Cute, undeniably cute, but you have to admit, a little goofy. I cry at every other song on the radio because it reminds me of high school or its a song I've never heard before that everyone else knows or it is beautiful music.

I cried yesterday at my friend's wedding in Virginia. I cried when she hugged her parents, when she said her vows, when I prayed for her. But perhaps the strangest time I cried was during the dance at the reception.

The wedding was co-ed and multigenerational. Men and women, infants and the elderly, a blind man who shouted out compliments to the DJ and sang along at the top of his lungs. People of every color. Dads dancing hip-hop with their toddler daughters in polka-dot sundresses. Married couples holding hands. Celebrating the longest married couple, 45 years.

It was breath-taking.

Everyone was laughing and dancing and talking and praising God for bringing this amazing couple together and I wiped my face and found tears streaming down my cheeks.

There are things I can't take for granted anymore. Things I appreciate on deep, soul-shaking levels. Things I marinate in.

Hot water. Proud pregnant bellies. Running free. Parenting with purpose. Friendship. Beauty. Music. Unity. Diversity.

Family.

Joy.

Tears.