When a beautiful love moves us to tears

Crying tears of joy is easy for many of us to understand. The idiom for crying tears of joy tells us that it means that you have found something to be so heartwarming, joyful or inspiring that you cry tears but not from sadness but from joy. Gus Walz was moved to tears of joy. To me it was heartwarming to see, and yet he was pilloried by some for this simple act of loving his father.

Those who denigrated him tried to apologize when they found out he was a special needs child. I was a special education teacher, and I know firsthand that children with NVLD have some difficulties with social situations.

But what if he wasn’t a special needs student? What if he was just a kid who adored his dad?

When did we become suspicious of someone with too much joy? Children of politicians should be off limits to these negative attacks.

Let’s try to be more accepting of others. I know that Gus inspired me to look for the best in others, and, yes, he made my cry tears of joy to see that type of love.

I’m a Christian and my Bible tells me that Jesus left the commandment to love one another as he loved us. Oh, if only we could follow that commandment. Our world would be one filled with empathy, kindness and compassion instead of hate and division

Many other religions teach that same idea.

No, we may not always like one another’s behavior, opinions, ideas, religious beliefs or political beliefs, but we can disagree respectfully. We can look for ways to connect instead of divide. We can take joy in others’ happiness.

Thank you, Gus, for reminding me how beautiful the love is that can move us to tears.

Sue Hoerauf

Prospect Heights