WRITING PROMPT| A TASTE FOR LIFE
When Joy Brings Tears: A Childhood Tale Of Earthquakes And Embraces
An Unforgettable Day of Joyful Reunion
Have you ever experienced a moment so brimming with joy that it spilled over into tears? I hadn’t until that fateful day when life almost gave me a second chance, and I witnessed my mother’s joy turning into tears.
Jason Edmunds prompt on “Joy and tears” in this wonder publication “A Taste For Life” triggered memories of an unforgettable day during my school years.
It was a defining moment that introduced me to the profound concept of tears of joy. The setting was the seismic hotspot of Kutch district in Gujarat, India, where earthquakes were not just occurrences but a regular part of life.
The entire Kutch district is known for being a very high risk seismic zone and earth quakes occur there regularly. People here have witnessed some of the worst earth quakes resulting in entire towns, and cities being razed to the ground.
While in school we were taught the precautionary steps we are supposed to take whenever we experienced earth quake tremors.
During my primary school days in Kutch, a significant earthquake struck early in January. The tremors rattled our school building, leading to an evacuation to a safer place. Given the chaos that enveloped the entire town, we weren’t allowed to return home immediately.
With my father on hospital duty, my mother, and our neighbours, had evacuated their homes and assembled on the streets. Alone at home, she anxiously awaited news about my safety. Communication lines were severed, and mobile technology did not exist in those days.
The quake’s intensity was such that it caused widespread disruption and destruction throughout the city. Our school authorities wisely kept us safe until the tremors subsided, arranging transportation to drop us home only when it was safe to return.
Upon reaching home, my parents stood by the gate; their worries etched on their faces. Spotting me alighting from the bus, my mom rushed toward me, enveloping me in a tight hug. Then, I felt her tears streaming down — tears of joy. She couldn’t contain the overwhelming surge of relief and happiness.
The Types of Tears of Joy and Happiness
Crying, often associated with sorrow, also positively affects our well-being, helping us manage emotions and maintain emotional balance. Researchers have identified four distinct types of positive tears:
- Affectionate Tears: My mom’s tears, triggered by our embrace, fell into this category. These tears emerge from an unexpected rush of gratitude and warmth.
- Achievement Tears: Tears of triumph accompany accomplishing something significant or overcoming an obstacle.
- Beauty Tears: Triggered by profound beauty, such as captivating music or a mesmerizing natural scene.
- Amusement Tears: Shed when uncontrollable laughter is prompted by something incredibly amusing.
As C.S. Lewis aptly stated, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.” Little did I know how intertwined joy and tears could become until a single moment etched its indelible mark on the canvas of my life.
Thank you Jason Edmunds for the wonderful prompt that transported me back to my school days And thank you for publishing my story.
