I wrote this in response to Trish’s post yesterday on Ten Years a Single on Mom about crying about a broken washing machine. I’ve done worse.
Here’s the whole sorry story. Daddy had died after sudden illness days before. I was a mess, but making a great effort to keep my emotions in check, knowing my mother was in need of my support with her world falling apart. My two small children were also grieving their beloved grandfather. I still had to get through my nursing finals. Through it all, I kept thinking, “I’ll get through this. I’ve just got to hold on for the next few days!” I had myself convinced I was coping.
The day after the funeral, on my way to take my last final, I pulled into the service station I regularly patronize because it was convenient, had good prices, and a complimentary car wash, all desirable qualities. After I filled up my vehicle, I went in to ask the friendly clerk for the code to the car wash. I didn’t really know her, but had seen her a time or two.
She told me the car wash was out of order. The dam burst! I wept. Not dainty, charming tears that would make a person say, “Here’s my hanky, Dear.” These were the big, squirty , snot-snorting tears of a deranged banshee that called for a mop bucket and towel. She was horrified at what she’d wrought. “Please don’t cry! I’ll give you a rain check!”
I never showed my face there again!
Nutsrok 
Reblogged this on Marilyn Munrow and commented:
We have all been in this situation sugar. Me in particular. I have had lots of things to make me cry and laugh over the past few years. I sympathise, but i also applaud you. Being not scared to cry is a strong attitude and most people know how you feel, well especially us females. Be it a death, mood swings, hormones, or whatever causes it, it always, always makes us feel better. I will tell you all my story one day. Its quite similar too. And now i cry at will. Poor Will. hahahahaha I also laugh at will too. Its called being true to yourself. You are a kind and wonderful caring individual and you show emotions. Nothing wrong with that.
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I’d love to hear your story. Thanks so much for Reblogging.
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We have all been in this situation sugar. Me in particular. I have had lots of things to make me cry and laugh over the past few years. I sympathise, but i also applaud you. Being not scared to cry is a strong attitude and most people know how you feel, well especially us females. Be it a death, mood swings, hormones, or whatever causes it, it always, always makes us feel better. I will tell you all my story one day. Its quite similar too. And now i cry at will. Poor Will. hahahahaha I also laugh at will too. Its called being true to yourself. You are a kind and wonderful caring individual and you show emotions. Nothing wrong with that.
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awesome.
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Thank for linking to my post!
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Sometimes you have to cry.
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And laugh!
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I completely understand. The strangest thing can be the last straw…
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Aww Beth. :)
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we’ve all been there, the straw that breaks the camel’s back so to speak, you never know when and where it will happen…
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True
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I can definitely relate!
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Bet we’ve all done it!
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I think the clerk would have understood. My mom died in a hospice 100 miles away, so that night I stayed overnight (alone) in a hotel. Before going to my room, I went to a local grocery store for some snacks and breakfast pastries. There was a young couple with a baby in line in front of me at the checkout. Just as they got up to the clerk, I blurted out (with tears in my eyes): “Can you tell me where the nearest liquor store is?” They looked at me in shocked silence (who was this old lady so desperate for a drink?) – until I explained that my mother had just died and I wanted some wine to take back to my hotel room. They directed me to a wine store just down the street, with words of sympathy and encouragement. A simple act of kindness to a stranger – they could have ignored me and just walked away.
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That’s such a perfect example, L., I did this often, but never in front of a stranger…that poor girl never forgot you ! (and no doubt, tried real hard to get that car wash back in working order).
We’ve all delayed our meltdowns, for one reason or another. Thanks for sharing. Van
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“I’ll give you a rain check!” lol
Grief strikes us at the most inopportune times, doesn’t it?
(((Hug)))
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I know she thought I’d lost my mind.
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Reblogged this on 10 Years a Single Mom and commented:
Just remember, when that person bursts into a crying fit to end all crying fits, you never know what is really going on with them.
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Thanks for Reblogging. I know things will get better for you.
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The phrase “crying fit” made me think this about crying: It’s a one-size-fits-all thing. We may be crying about the wrong incident, but the real grief will pour itself into the form that’s offered and fill it. Or, in this case, over-fill it. Great story.
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What a shock for unfortunate onlookers!
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Oh, you poor thing….I wonder if that girl is still telling this same story lol! That was a rough time for you….I can’t imagine….hugs!!
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I’ve laughed at myself about it many times. That poor girl probably had a rain check printed out just in case I blubbered back by.
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I think we all have our moments like this.. I always say the glass gets filled with water drops, but it takes only one final drop to pour all the water :)
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I sure blew it out that day.
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