Opinion : The joy of making someone cry

In our house, history is probably one of our favorite subjects.

Veterans have played a huge part in a lot of various projects that we've been a part of over the years.

In the past we've been privileged to hear many stories from our much older folks, many from the WWII era. Some from the men who served and some from their wives.

The era these folks lived through was so much more difficult than we can even understand today.

There's nothing better than finding an old veteran that will reminisce for hours about how it was back in the '40's.

There's been many times while listening, you try to undstand, but in our feeble attempts at really grasping the hardships of that era, you realize, you'll never really get it.

Some of the old guys from this time are quick to point out what we think a hardship is today is nothing.

Many times, we think we have it rough if we have to forgo a trip, or can't get out to the restaurant this week.

The folks that have been around for most of the 20th century, have a much better grasp of what hard times really are. These are the folks you want to hold close and glean all the wisdom you can from them.

Yesterday, we had the chance to show just a teeny, tiny bit of honor for some of the veterans who served our country.

Some of them wept. Some of the folks from that era wept. And some of us with thicker skin, gulped as each veteran stood, felt our chests swell with pride in them and our country, and we acted like we didn't feel like shedding a tear.

After the brief service, many of the older folks thanked us and told us how we had touched them, and how that it made them cry.

My response, in typical  Valerie fashion, was to joke it off and say, "Good, we like to make you cry." If you know me at all, you know that means something like this. "We're so thrilled that we got it right.  We have NO idea the struggles you went through to make this country as great as it is today, and if in this small way, of saying. 'Thank you'  touched you, we're thrilled, but really, we know what we did was nothing compared to what you did! So don't thank me for saying a mere, 'Thank you', because you deserve so much more than that!"

I hope I get the chance to make even more folks cry, in the way we got to yesterday.

There's not a better feeling in the world than finding the folks that really deserve a thank you, and delivering it in a way that touches their heart.

So, as you travel through life, join me in making someone cry...in this good kind of way, of course!