When I was a kid, I was not allowed to show emotion or to even cry. I was brought up that crying was a sign of weakness so I learned to mask every emotion I felt. Even when my childhood ended and I found myself entering adulthood, I still would not allow myself to cry. I kept silent about the things I was going through and the battles I was fighting within myself. Instead I focused on being there for everyone else and helping them through the tough times. I was always the one they could depend on to be strong for them. Because I got so caught up in trying to solve their problems, I rarely focused on the things in my life that I needed to take care of and work on. I felt that something was missing although I really wasn't sure what it was. I finally began to focus more on me and that's when I realized that the missing piece in my life was tears. I needed to allow myself to cry so I could release all those emotions that had been locked away. When I let myself cry finally, I felt so much better. The walls I had built up around my heart and the chains that were around it broke. I admit that I am still learning to let people close to me. I am very cautious about who I let near me because I don't want to get hurt but yet at the same time I am learning who I can let in and who I need to get rid of in my life. With rebuilding my life and starting over, I am trying to surround myself with those positive friends who are helping me to heal in my own journey and the ones that really truly care about what I go through. Not the ones who only see the friendship as one way meaning what they hope to gain from it and not caring what I go through. I do let myself cry now but I won't cry in front of my friends. Showing your emotions and releasing them is a good thing. It is good to cry. Crying is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of strength. So allow yourself to cry when you need to grieve over the things you have been through in your life because crying is healthy. Your tears can help heal your heart and soul. So don't be ashamed to cry. Healing Tears by Jenna Kandyce Linch Into this world another special angel was born Sadly over time her wings would be damaged and torn. Every one adored this precious gift sent from above However the ones who should have cherished her showed her no love. The environment she grew up in was very cold Many of the things that happened behind closed doors went untold. A perfectly fine normal American family is how it appeared Little did people realize that in this household there was much to be feared. A safe home turned into a violent war zone With nowhere to go, she faced battles alone. Nightmares she daily saw and felt were very real Yet emotions she was forbidden to feel. Her only friend in the world was her teddy bear Hugging him, this silent companion seemed to care. Secrets she carried only he knew At night, of her tear soaked pillow teddy had the best view. Time passed by so fast Having the opportunity to enjoy being a kid didn't last. With broken wings, she entered into adulthood Things still weren't all that good. Memories from those days with her she brought Struggling because of the flashbacks, she felt distraught. Yet this angel still managed to smile on the outside Skillfully her fragile, vulnerable parts she would hide. What she was dealing with no one was aware Her laughter and gentle nature covered the despair. She knew better than to let anyone past the walls she worked hard to build Contents of her life story she wasn't ready to have spilled. People didn't seem to notice that at times she grew distant In their own lives they were too caught up in the moment. The strong one in life she always remained Helping others, about her problems she never complained. Unlike others, she had no place she could call home Going from one place to another her life consisted of being on the roam. Although she was starting over, the pieces didn't seem complete A sense of loneliness settled in as she approached the brink of defeat. To everyone else around her she was a hero Credit they gave her she thought she fell below. She'd made it her personal mission to aid those in need However, from emotional wounds, her own heart had begun to bleed. After all these years she still didn't let her true feelings show The fake belief that crying was weakness she continued to follow. Holding it all in, she feared she would break This smile she wore she could no longer fake. Picking up her teddy bear, she hugged him tight Giving way to her emotions, she surrendered the fight. As she released her feelings, the walls were pushed aside She found the missing piece when the healing tears she cried. 'Healing Tears' Copyright © Jenna Kandyce Linch