Greg Hartnett

When was the last time you had a good cry? Not just a little sob, but a full on boo-hooing??

When I was younger, I used to believe that crying was a sign of weakness. I can remember the first time I fell down and cut my hands and didn’t cry about it. I was about 8 years old, and I remember the pain shooting through my hands - yet I didn’t cry. I was so proud of myself - I saw it as a sign that I was growing up, and no longer needed to cry.

Of course as I grew, the notion that crying was not for boys was only reinforced. Luckily, I was raised by a wise mother who taught me that a true man is gentle and kind, and not afraid to show his emotions. She encouraged me to accept my feelings, and not try to bury them. She taught me that all people - men and women, young and old - need to cry. People who don’t embrace anguish, can’t truly understand joy.

So through the years, I have come to embrace the full spectrum of human emotion. I am no longer afraid to cry - I am proud to let my children see me cry. I am happy to show them that it is fine for a man to cry. I am passing along the wisdom that I was lucky enough to have received.

Just last week, I was going through my dresser, when I came across a letter from my deceased grandmother. It was a letter she had written to me shortly after I moved to California. I sat on my bed, reading the letter to my daughter, and the tears began to flow. My daughter looked at me, a bit confused, so I tried to stifle my tears. She then told me, “It’s ok daddy - you can cry”. So I did. I cried. Hard. And if felt great. My seven year old daughter hugged and comforted me. It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life.

So, the next time you feel a little choked up, don’t fight it. Let it out. You’ll be happy you did.