Gone Soft

On another thread recently I mentioned how my doctor had told me that as oestrogen levels diminish after menopause, some women become anxious and tearful.

The other day - I hardly dare confess this, it's so daft - I read about a stalwart, brave old ship which gave sterling service in WW2, being used as a stationary target for a new US ocean missile.

And I cried for that poor old vessel, what a sad ending for a proud old lady (the boat, not me).

There's no hope for me.

I've become like this since I was widowed. Brought up to keep a stiff upper lip by wartime parents it was shocking to me to see how easily moved to tears I became and in public too.

Now I let the tears fall and think what the hell. It's healthier to let them out instead. I still hate 'hysterics' though. There's got to be a real reason for the tears or I find it annoying.

I wonder if it's partly getting older, the increasing realisation of the frailty of life, its unpredictability and acknowledging life can change in a second. That, along with not being in the world of work where we have to be tougher on ourselves, especially if we work in the 'caring' professions, including teaching.

When my children were young and now with my grandchildren. Any court case or incident involving hurt or cruelty to a child, especially if they are the same age as my children/grandchildren are at that time, cuts me to the quick.

I found I cried more easily as I got older but nothing to do with grandchildren. I do cry when I'm really angry and that frustrates me.

I was like this after my third child was born, I’d cry at adverts on television, as you say, anything to do with babies or children, fortunately it didn’t last for too long, although I still seem to be moved to tears by the John Lewis Christmas advert every year.

I gave up watching 'Casualty' because I found it so distressing that these awful things were happening to somebody's child or husband or family. I certainly personalise all the various tragedies on the news too.
That's more longstanding than just since DGCs' arrival though.

Yes, I'm like that too. I used to be someone who rarely cried or showed emotion - now I cry at the drop of a hat. One of my granddaughters has a disability, and I only have to hear about a disabled child and I just dissolve. I need to toughen up !