It wasn't directed towards me with the sadness. And for the most part, it had little affect me or my children.
But it was sad nonetheless.
The message shared about a young boy (the age of my own boys) who had passed away in a tragic car accident.
When sharing the news with my boys, because they all went to school with the child, i was tearful, heartbroken, and, sorrowful myself.
They also were sad, but it seemed to affect me more than them, even though I never shared recess with this child.
I could't understand why I was crying.
But after thinking about it for a while this morning, and monitoring my own reactions to the people in my house, and reviewing my own reactions to things in recent days, I realized...
I am emotionally exhausted.
Between pandemic responses and reactions, injuries, inability to "get away from it all", no relief from normal stresses - let alone compounded ones, and the irritability of society on general...
I am emotionally exhausted.
As a result, I cry over a grieving family, i mourn the loss of a child I never knew, I can't hold myself together when I have to discipline my children (always toeing the line between raising my children and making the most of my limited time with them).
I am tired people.
And if you are too, just know that you are not alone. We can, and should talk about this.