Jun 1, 2015 3 min read

As farmers, we are charged with the difficult task of trying to remain objective about how we run our operation even when we become attached to our animals and traditions. And yet, emotions play a large role in why we work such long hours for less money than we could make at other vocations.

We tried to teach our children proper control of their emotions – there is a time and a place for them, but all emotions are not appropriate for all situations. Rational thought, logical thinking and a well-worded argument are more effective many times than, say, a temper tantrum or tears would be in similar circumstances.

Sometimes, though, despite your best efforts, extreme emotions come pouring out. They can embarrass or humble you.

They can show your humanity or your true feelings. They can cleanse your spirit and refresh you. They can also make your heart hurt with sadness or joy.

Recently, I was humbled, saddened and cleansed by my emotions. I was at a checkup with the doctor when I was asked if my mom was still my emergency contact.

The question was a simple one, but it caught me completely unaware, and I immediately began crying. It was not the single-tear-down-one-cheek cry of the movies, but the swollen-eyed, ugly-cry of a girl who misses her mom.

All I could do was hide behind the wall until I was finished, while the poor girl at the counter repeated how sorry she was for asking. Quite overwhelming.

But sometimes, experiencing extreme emotion can be a beautiful thing, too.

A few months ago, my middle daughter’s best friend moved away. Originally from the South, the family returned there to help care for several ill family members. Our daughter was devastated, as was our entire family, because this child had become another daughter to us. We mailed packages and cards, texted and video-chatted. Truly, though, it just wasn’t the same.

On Saturday, I got a message they were coming up for a week and our “other daughter” wanted to come visit. She wanted to surprise our middle girl by simply showing up at the house.

Oh, how I wanted to tell her, though I kept my emotions in check.

When their car pulled up, I hollered to my daughter to answer the door. When she saw who was standing on the other side, she could barely turn the knob.

At the same time as the door opened, my daughter flew through the doorway and enveloped Other Daughter in a hug so big I thought they would both fall down.

They stayed in that embrace for several minutes. I could see the tears running unashamedly down my daughter’s cheeks. Her emotions overwhelmed her, and then mine followed suit. We all stood there, grinning like idiots, crying with joy. It was absolutely beautiful.

A week from now, we’ll probably do the ugly-cry again. But in that circumstance, it will be a beautiful thing, too.

Laura Zoeller can be reached at zoeller5@verizon.net.