22 Comments
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Kimberly Warner's avatar

What a transcendent story about the power and beauty of tears. I want to visit Hilma's tomb and sing to her the old Free to Be You and Me song, It's Alright to Cry:

"It's alright to feel things

Though the feelings may be strange

Feelings are such real things

And they change and change and change."

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

💜🐈‍⬛🎩

Donna McArthur's avatar

Winston, thank you for publishing this excellent story!

Troy, thank you for weaving humanity together through Hilma's beautiful tears. She is crying for all the things, both named and unnamed. The joy and the sorrow, the tangible and intangible. She shows us they are all one, as are we.

It is a beautiful tale that will live inside of me for a very long time.

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

💜🐈‍⬛🎩

David Perlmutter's avatar

As an adult crier, I sympathize with Hilma.

Mya Dexter's avatar

Wow, Troy, I loved Hilma's story, delightful and gentle, and once I was reassured there was nothing ominous about to happen, I smiled throughout the "slight dehydration," and "nothing alarming" diagnosis, and could clearly visualise the quiet WHO meeting through Hilma's tears. Beautiful.💛

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Thank you! 🐝🐝🐝

Zibow Retailleau's avatar

I read this story twice before commenting, and twice it made me smile and cry at the same time. Thank you, dear author, for introducing Hilma to me. Next time, when I’m sad, happy or simply feel like it, I’ll have a good cry with Hilma. I’m much too old for imaginary friends, but since Hilma is such a loving, unbiased soul, I’m sure she won’t judge me.

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

I'm really delighted that you have been moved by Hilma's story, she really did spring fully formed out of a wish for more sensitivity and compassion. Thank you so much for your kind words, Zibow!

Holly Starley's avatar

Troy! of course this was published. I can’t tell you how much Hilma has delighted me. I want to see the world through her tears, to bathe in their pool of sorrows and joys.

Ha! What I mean is, thank you, Winston, for publishing this. Thank you, Troy, for writing it.

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Thank you my dear, you're the best 💜🎩🐈‍⬛

Nathan Slake's avatar

Lovely, Troy. Moving. I echo Kate's comment here that this felt part parable, part surreal story. (Dr Ward really must be really old! 😀)

The power of tears to celebrate as well as to commiserate.

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Thanks Nathan! ☂️🙏💜

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Such a lovely and memorable story, Troy! It's part parable, part surreal (Márquez-like?), and takes us through a whole life. I also like how you tried on a different voice (at least compared to what I've read of your work so far). 😿💙

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

💜🐈‍⬛🎩

Bea Author's avatar

So different from your usual, MTF!

Colin Devonshire's avatar

Great, that was different.

Mac McCord's avatar

Loved this!

Nicole Paton's avatar

Oh this was gorgeous! I absolutely adore Hilma!

I just clicked on this story randomly, and I'm so so glad I did - it has utterly made my day - thank you so much!

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Thank you Nicole, I loved writing Hilma.

Leo's SpeakEasy's avatar

Wonderful! Such a touching story.

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

💜🐈‍⬛🎩