Tears have accompanied me through every stage of life, marking moments of separation, growth, and self-discovery. As a child, I cried on my first day of school, feeling the sting of detachment from those I loved. In adolescence, my tears fell for the first heartbreak, the first disappointment, and even the first blemish on my face. Over time, I learned to cry more deeply, more meaningfully, as life unfolded its complexities before me.

I have cried for hatred, disillusionment, disappointment, despair, pain, fear, and longing. Just as I have laughed in moments of enchantment and happiness, my tears have reflected the full spectrum of human emotion. I wept in anger at the cruelty inflicted upon others, in sorrow for betrayals that shattered my trust, and in fear of life’s inevitable uncertainties. I have mourned the loss of loved ones, aching for their presence, knowing I could never be with them again.

Yet, my tears have also been born of joy. I cried on birthdays, both mine and those of the people who shared their love and tenderness with me. I wept with overwhelming happiness when I became a mother, carrying life within me—a feat I hold with immense pride. My tears flowed with gratitude for words of encouragement, for the presence of unforgettable souls who shaped my journey. I cried dreamily, watching the day dissolve into night, witnessing the sea embrace the shore, teaching me that life, like the waves, is ever-changing.

I have wept, I weep, and I will continue to weep, for tears remind me of my humanity, my humility, and my capacity to love. They flow from the depths of my heart, that delicate, rhythmic organ that pulses with life. And with every tear shed, I offer a silent toast to existence—to the beauty, the sorrow, and the endless transformation that defines what it means to truly live. ❤️🙏🏾

©️ Beatriz Esmer