Good Cry

Tate’s stomping around her room. I hear her closing drawers loudly. She’s upset. With what, I’m not exactly sure but I’m trying to just let her be.

I walk by and peek in; I see her curled up on her bed, crying and crying.

Because it’s so late, I calmly offer, “We can still read if you get under the covers in the next few minutes and if not, we’ll finish the book tomorrow night,” just to set expectations right.

Tate responds, “I can't stop crying. I don’t know how to. I just keep crying and crying and it’s making my nose all stuffy and hurting my throat…” She coughs dramatically.

“It’s okay, just let yourself be. Have a good, long cry. Your body clearly needs it.”

“This makes her more upset, “A good cry?! Noooo. Crying is such a waste of time; I really wanna read but I can't stop. I can’t stop and it’s so pointless …”

“No, no. no. Don’t say that. Letting those tears move through you is a really good thing. Just keep crying. Otherwise, they get all stopped up and stuck inside.”

“I’m trying to stop them, Mama. I don’t WANT to cry. I don’t like it.”

“I know, I know,” I offer. Hoping on some level, she hears me.