Have you ever felt like you were the only one who felt or thought a certain way? Like you were a black sheep because no one else you’ve known in your life has reacted to or perceived things in the same way as you do? Maybe you’ve felt foolish or misunderstood or maybe you just didn’t even know how to explain to anyone what you were thinking or experiencing?
Let me tell you, I felt this way for decades. Why? What could possibly have made me feel all the feelings? Welp, I’m a big ‘ol cry baby.
For real for real.
I’ve always cried for all things good, bad, & ugly. It’s even a joke at home when any little thing happens, “Are you CRYING?!” …at the commercial / song / movie / book / TikTok / memory / news article/ cute kitty photo.
And then I read this quote in my Grandma’s memoir about how her dad, Dutch, explained how he feels when he wants to cry about the beautiful things in life:
“Everything that’s any good hurts my nose. It gives me a feeling.”
When I read that for the first time, I felt so seen! Because yes I’m a big ol’ cry baby for all the things, but also! Also! My nose *burns* when I get that “feeling” right before I cry.
And so, even though I never got to meet Dutch (today marks the 63rd anniversary of his death), I carry a little bit of him around with me & now get to remember our connection every time I feel a little silly for welling up at the little things.
We truly carry our ancestors with us every step of the way, whether we know it consciously or not, & I think that’s pretty damn cool.
Do tell, do you have any quirks or characteristics that have been passed down to you that bring you comfort or make you chuckle in the best ways?
Onward,
Melis