"Something to cry about"

"Quit crying before I give you something to cry about."

I heard that a time or two growing up.

I woke up with tears this morning.

I am not sure why I was fighting them.

Except that sometimes I get tired of crying.
                                                                               
5 months.                                                                   
         
Seems like a very long time.

Seems like minutes.

As I was telling myself "quit crying" 
the rest of that statement came to mind.

When did I decide that I need to fight the tears?

I have something to cry about,
and, today at least, as awkward as it may sound,
I am going to celebrate, through the tears,
that I have something to cry about.

I was married to a man
who loved God,
who loved me,
who loved our children
who loved our grandchildren.

I got to share life with a man who left a legacy 
of faith
of integrity
of patience
of kindness
of gentleness
of compassion
of faithfulness
of self-control
of service
of self-less giving
of seeking to be a peace maker.

"Thank you, God, for giving me something to cry about;

and may all who come behind me find me faithful. "