I may not have met everyone who reads this, but I feel that if you're a reader, you're a friend. That said, this week's edition of the Two For You newsletter will be more personal than most other editions. Thank you for allowing me to share some big news from my life and, as always, for reading and supporting my work.
There have been a number of times in my life that I have become overwhelmed with emotions to the point of unprompted, uncontrollable, ridiculous tears.
My junior year of high school we had a record snowfall. I went outside in the middle of the night, snow falling endlessly all around, and cried like a baby.
I once saw an old man outside of a Walmart in Indianapolis hugging a his dog, and I cried.
Sitting in seat 15b on an American Airlines flight to PDX next to a businessman, watching the movie Up, I ugly cried so hard and so suddenly the man called the flight attendant. When she arrived, he just pointed at me, confused.
Last night, I sat in my car in the parking lot of my gym, while reaching to start the car became so racked with emotions that I couldn't see the ignition button.
Most people know that I am emotional and cry often, but few know that in special circumstances, when tears aren't enough to qualm my feelings, I write poetry as well.
My daughter might be born at the same time as this email hits your inbox, and so, unable to drive home, I wrote a poem. Before I share that with you, I'd encourage you to evaluate how you process heavy emotions.
Does it help you to write things down? (Rhyming your words is optional)
Do you like to be alone? To be surrounded by people?
Do you feel guilty or ashamed when you feel strong emotions? Do you try and hide your emotions from those you're close with? Strangers? If so, why?
People process emotions differently, and while I am not a professional, I think the important thing is to have a process and use it.
One last thing, even though I cry in public, I don't publish my poetry. It's amateur at best, but it helps me process how I feel. Without further ado...
'Twas The Night Before Labor
Twas the night before labor
and all thru the womb,
Murph Dawg was kicking
Telling she’d exit very soon
9 months of growing
A week full of prep
Every time the bell rang
It was love at our doorstep
Finn and Lucy could sense it
A shift was about
A new pup for the pack
With new smells to sniff out
Jo’s ankles were swollen
But her face was aglow
She radiated beauty
The best Mom, Murph would know
Her dad was a wreck
Face awash with tears
His life changed forever
His purpose now clear.
It’s frigid outdoors
Temps at freezing or below
The skies started changing
Murph’s day called for snow
With hands on Jo’s belly
Our eagerness grew
For Murph to be here
And for Jo to fit in her shoes
A daughter, grandchild, best friend and more
Murph will be someone to everyone
More than we could ever ask for.
But to all who loved us
before you could ever love her,
We love you right back
and of that we are sure.
Fact
Murphy Joenelle Wetzler is the coolest name in the history of names and is infinitely adaptable. For example, Murphy Jo, Murph, Murph Dawg, Murph Pup, MJ...
Action
Ask someone you admire how they handle "big feelings" to see if their method might work for you.
Question
What, or who, helps you process strong emotions?
Quote
"If anything can go right, it will." - Murphy's Mantra (we hope)
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