Monday, February 05, 2007

Tears

Tears are funny things. They do so much more than what's on the label. Yes, we cry when sad and unhappy. We cry at frustration. We cry at anger. We cry in pain. Here let me stop and clarify the we - that is women. Men tend to regard crying as an alien activity once they are past the age of ten. So back to crying - we cry when we laugh. We cry when are happy. Tears can be a good barometer of our emotions. Too close to the surface for our own good sometimes but always with us.

Why am I on about tears well I very nearly had one of those embarrassing mum moments last night. DS1 is fourteen. He's taller than me now even when I wear heals! He's gorgeous despite the spots and I think he's brilliant. Classic mum thinking I know but he is also dyslexic and I have lived through his pain thinking he's stupid. Thank God that phase has gone and he knows better. It has been one hell of a battle but miracles do happen. He can now read and is such a whizz at math he surprises himself. So last night we went to his house concert. Now he hasn't a musical bone in his body so we went to show willing.

I received the shock of my life when I read the programme and he was listed as the first act with three other boys. He can't sing so I had no idea what was going to happen. Well, he clearly told us that they were going to give a brief history of the house and when on to read fluently, elegantly and beautifully in front of 100 people that included the headmaster, the housemaster, his tutor, his parents, and most importantly his peers. I sat there stunned, overwhelmed, amazed and proud. No one would have known that this kid was dyslexic. I thanked God for miracles and DS1 for his hard work. I didn't cry but those tears were so close to pouring out which would have been too embarrassing for words.

So we cry when we are joyful, when we are proud, when we are overwhelmed and when we are thankful.

8 comments:

Nell Dixon said...

As someone with dyscalculia who fights a daily battle with math I know how much that moment must have meant for both of you and how hard he must have worked.

cs harris said...

That is so touching. As the mother of a hearing impaired child, I know how that kind of thing can choke you up.

Someone once said that writers cry easily. It's because we're in touch with our emotions that we can convey them to others.

Unknown said...

Thanks Nell.

CS it's all the small triumphs after all the lows that get you. I'll have to tell the DH that I cry so much because I am a writer he foolishly believes its hormones!
:-)

Caroline said...

This is beautiful. You made me cry.
My eldest has verbal dyspraxia and I'm watching him struggle.

x

Unknown said...

Tears are wonderful release valves. Their struggle breaks your heart and their triumphs do to - being a mother is the hardest/best job in the world.

Jessica Raymond said...

Aw, Liz! *HUG* I have all these Tearful Mummy moments to look forward to, huh? :)

Jess x

Unknown said...

You bet you do Jess. I bet those hormones are already helping you on the way! Enjoy them all.

Jenny Beattie said...

Wow that is such an achievement. That's incredibly hard to do even when you're not dyslexic. I'm afraid I'd probably have cried anyway! Well done to him, and well done to you for hanging onto your emotions. JJ