Richard W. shared a stream on September 16, 2022

Cleansing Power of Tears of Joy

Estimated reading time: 1 minute, 8 seconds

Not all tears are the same.

According to Dr. Orloff, we produce three types of “tears: reflex, continuous, and emotional.”

Reflex and continuous tears protect and cleanse our eyes.

I have cried a lot during my grieving over Jan’s death.

Dr. William Frey at the Ramsey Medical Center in Minneapolis discovered that reflex tears are 98% water, whereas emotional tears also contain stress hormones which get excreted from the body through crying.

But I have also had cleansing tears of joy.

One of those times was when Wes was born.

Yesterday it resulted from hearing that the wind sculpture will be shipped on the 26th and arrive seven to ten days later.

Now, I know the final phase of Jan’s Memorial Garden will commence soon, and her memory will live on for future generations.

When the wind whistles thru the wind sculpture, I am confident that Jan’s name will echo across Hanson Park.

The tears of joy cleansed my soul.

The Jan Lilien Education Fund sponsors ongoing sustainability and environmental awareness programs. Gifts made this month; I will match dollar-for-dollar. All donations are tax-deductible.

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How Long Can You Cry?

While driving there, I listened to an episode of This American Life on WNYC called "Road Trip in a Tuxedo," featuring an interview with the late George Burns conducted by Margy Rochlin.

During the interview portion, I heard George talk about the loss of his wife, Gracie. I was struck by his question about how long someone can cry. Since Jan's death, I've shed many tears, but I know that crying won't bring her back. Jan and I had a wonderful life together, but hers ended too soon.

Now, instead of dwelling on my sadness, I'm trying to reinvent myself. I walk to clear my head and write about Jan to keep her memory alive. I also read a lot, hoping to find guidance for my journey. But I still need to figure out exactly who I will become. All I can do is walk with Jan's spirit beside me and move forward.