Men are not supposed to cry!

So, why do I find my throat tightening, completely unable to speak or make intelligible sounds and a tiny tear starts to form at the corners of my eyes when certain events occur?

What Makes Me Cry?

Listening to a patriotic speech that lauds and praises the American way of life is usually a tearjerker for me. Also, seeing horrible scenes from the Holocaust and realizing my helplessness is another and different reason for getting choked up.

Pride and love work together to make me cry when a grandchild does something outstanding, like scoring a goal in soccer or saying something loving and touching to me or to my wife. Actually, I have no control over the situations and/or the time and events which cause this phenomenon. They come and go just as they please.

One thing I do know for sure, I am not allowed to cry out loud and bawl like a baby or even like a female without covering up. It is an unwritten law of the jungle we call society.

"Men Do Not Weep Openly"

Who is responsible for this unworded legislation? Who was the first male to cry? Was it at the funeral of Julius Caesar? Was it Brutus or was it Mark Antony who filled the Roman eyes with tears? Did Christopher Columbus cry for joy when land was spotted after the long voyage? On Nov. 11, 1918 I would have shed a few tears when that insane war of the trenches was over. I was too young for tears of joy on Aug. 8, 1948 when World War II came to an end.

Tears emerge from the lacrimal glands which are in the eye. Their biological function is much like that of the squirter and window wipers on an automobile. Wash away the dirt to provide better vision is the reason for their placement.

I wonder "Do animals cry?" I hope they do.

Thank you my dear readers for letting me unburden myself of this essential issue.

Your kindness almost makes me cry!