The majority of people reading this (that's 2/3) already know this, but I am a cryer. I wasn't always this way, but it seems that my condition is now permanent. While this is hardly news to most of you, there it is. I'm well aware that books, articles, movies stories and warm breezes have the power to bring me to tears. Ok, the breeze part is a bit of an exaggeration, but seriously, crying comes quite easily to me.

The reason I'm writing this is because while I was sitting at work I watched a short clip that my sister Tiffany sent to me. (That's right Tiffany, you made me cry.) The clip was about a boy who was the team manager for his high school's basketball team. He also happened to have autism. Now, I have to admit that the more sleep deprived I get the more teary eyed I become, so it was foolish of me to watch this after a long night at work but I couldn't help myself. Here's the link for those who are interested. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6cOp6EDFlI&feature=related

So the other part of the reason for this crying talk is a response to my brother in law. While everyone else was waiting for "It's a Small World" at Disneyland Robin and I sat out. It was a nice opportunity to talk with him. We spoke about Avi and Itai, some of the struggles we've faced, and what I hope for the future. At one point in the conversation he asked, "Do you ever cry at night?"

I answered yes, but couldn't elaborate on the point because I was already getting choked up. So, yes Robin. I sometimes cry at night, sometimes in the day and sometimes in the safety of my solitude at work. But I've learned something that has helped me. Elder Wirthlin gave a beautiful talk in conference while we were living with Debbie's family in October, 2008. His talk was titled, "Come What May and Love It." This talk has become one of my favorite conference addresses. And yes, I was crying while I listened to it. In this address he says, "The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."

I absolutely love this promise. I can't imagine a more beautiful promise to those who experience loss or pain. To think that every tear shed now will some day be returned with gratitude brings some of that rejoicing even now. It is sweetly sobering to think that He who created world's without end and vast cosmic expanses knows, not only of the fall of every sparrow, but also of every tear.

So Tiffany, thank you for the clip. It was inspiring and tear jerking. Robin, I cry a lot, but even now some of those tears are "tears of rejoicing and gratitude."