Crying While Standing Up

Recently, I was reminded of a Saturday afternoon a few years ago when I was in my kitchen prepping dinner for the company that was due to arrive in a few hours. I remember it was a beautiful, warm, sunny day. A good day. I felt at peace that day as I looked forward to seeing our dear friends and spending time together. As grievers, we know that we need to take advantage of all the good days we can because something could change in the blink of an eye, and we can find ourselves plunged back into the heaviness of sorrow. While chopping vegetables, Alexa began playing a song I had never heard before. Upon hearing the first few lines, I burst into tears, crying while standing up at the kitchen island. One moment, I was fine, and the next, I was a hot mess.

After asking Alexa the song’s name, I asked her to replay it for me. After hearing it for the fifth time, my tears began to subside. As the words rang true, I found myself wistfully smiling as I pictured my daughter in Heaven: “But now you’re standing in the sun. You’ve fought your fight, and your race is run. The pain is all a million miles away.”

My friends, grief is a journey we all face at some point in life, and while it can be incredibly painful, it doesn’t mean that joy is out of reach. We can be crying while standing up, literally or figuratively, holding space for both emotions as we move forward.

Our grief is not linear. Some days, we feel overwhelmed by sadness; other days, we can laugh, smile, and find happiness in the smallest moments. Understanding that this mix of emotions is a natural part of healing is essential. We are not betraying our grief or our loved ones by allowing ourselves to feel joy, nor are we ignoring our pain. Instead, we recognize that life continues, and within it, there is room for joy and tears.

Crying while standing up is a metaphor for resilience. It reminds us that even as we experience deep sorrow, we can still take steps moving forward.

Grief may knock us down, but it doesn’t have to keep us there. Faith, hope, and love give us the strength to stand, even when tears flow. Our faith can provide the foundation we need to rise again. It offers comfort in knowing that we are never truly alone.

Grieving is not about forgetting or pushing through sadness. It is about acknowledging all parts of the experience: the tears, the laughter, the love, and the loss. By embracing joy and sorrow, we learn that it is possible to cry while standing up, walking the journey of grief one step at a time.

We can also be a source of support for others while walking through our grief. As we lean on others, we simultaneously offer a hand to those who need it. In our shared vulnerability, we find strength.