50 • The Beacon September 19 , 2024
Even when life brings tears , the Lord is still with us
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They will no longer hunger nor thirst , nor will the sun beat down on them , nor any scorching heat ; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd , and will guide them to springs of the water of life ; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes .”
— Revelation 7:16
Tears . What ’ s the story on the lacrimal gland , that mini-waterworks production plant located in the upper outside corners of our eyes ? Why cry ? Of what purpose is this watery drama that occurs throughout the days of our life , right before our fascinating little organs of sight ?
Tears are composed of over 1,500 proteins that settle beside fatty oils , sodium bicarbonate and other elements from the Periodic Table in that three-layered droplet of water found emanating from our eyes . It ’ s an amazing design . The mucus layer helps hold the tear to the eye . As you might infer from the name , the aqueous layer holds the water and other good stuff to keep the eye hydrated and ward off bacteria . The oily layer keeps everything glued together and yet is transparent enough to see through . It appears tears come to our eyes for three different reasons .
Basal tears are ever present in our eyes . Like that oil change for your car ’ s engine , tears keep your eye lubricated and operating trouble free . Cornea damage is repaired , and
WE REFILL
PROPANE TANKS ! the eye ’ s surface is rejuvenated and kept running smooth so you can keep an eye on things in a clear , well-defined fashion . Think of basal tears as a purposeful , nutrient-laden leak that maintains the engine of your eye ’ s overall health and fine-tuned functional purpose : keeping you in sight alignment with what ’ s going on in front of your nose .
Reflex tears also are an autopilot function for the eye . Onions want nothing more than to live happily ever after in the soil in which they are planted . In an earnest attempt not to become lunch , the onion grabs all the sulfur from the ground it can to produce amino sulfide , which changes into a gas . Chop or chomp an onion and the amino sulfide mixes with other enzymes within the onion to produce sulfenic acid , which further evolves into syn-propanethial-Soxide .
In an attempt to save its life , the onion throws this chemically mixed martial art champion up against the ocular surface of your eye in hopes you will leave it alone . That ’ s why even though you are so excited about eating that sandwich garnished in onion , you just might do a little crying about it beforehand .
Even though basal and reflex tears are most common in our daily life , it is the emotional tears we often think of when considering the subject of tears . I knew the send-off of our daughter to college would be devastating for her mentally impaired brother . Tightly embracing her neck , bulging out her eyes somewhat like a Warner Bros . cartoon , said brother grabbed a breath with origins beginning at his toes and let it loose .
A siblings ’ union of tear geysers and gasping sobs caused people 50 yards away to turn in fear then sympathy for this emotionally charged event . I grabbed a nearby canoe , paddling hard against the tears ’ streaming head waters in an attempt to draw close to them . Upon arrival I gently proposed it was time for us to go now . My vision still somewhat blurry for some reason , I suggested my wife drive us from the parking lot .
Though our daughter is moving ever closer to her very own independent adult life , I expect we will still see and connect with her often . What about some of the more devastating sorrows in life ? Ever present sickness , chronic pain , constant loneliness , a devastating divorce and more , these brutal tolls cause our tears to flow .
Sometimes that one little kick-starter tear turns into a torrent down our cheek , dribbling from our jawbone , chin and beyond . The biggie for most of us , those ultimate dance cards with the death of family , friends and eventually ourselves we must all face and the loss that comes with it . Can the tears from these experiences ever end ? Will the pain ever stop ?
The resounding reply to both questions is yes . Biologically speaking , emotional tears help release oxytocin and endorphins , our body ’ s natural feelgood mood elevators . It ’ s why we often feel a bit better after that “ good cry .” As much as I appreciate that , I think I am on to something better . I so love
See JANSEN on 51
4-H club members make T-shirts
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The Ridgerunners 4-H Club met Aug . 18 at the Warsaw Community Park . Club members and Cloverbuds ate snacks while they discussed the fair booth . During the meeting Carter Elson , Mason Hess and Lillian Wilson gave their demonstrations . After the meeting club members and Cloverbuds tie-dyed T-shirts as a recreation activity . The shirts will be entered in the fair .