Readers say John Boehner doesn't boohoo alone

House Speaker John Boehner does it, and he's not alone. We asked readers what makes them cry.

Here are some samples of things that make us cry.

For some, it's the love they feel for their grandchildren and watching them grow up. For others, it's the sights, sounds and songs of patriotism, or heartfelt hymns sung during a Sunday church service. For many, it's the special moments they remember from when their children were young.

At 61 years, I joke that I cry at the drop of a hat. Babies are a definite cheek bather. The one awesome scene in "Ghost" as well. I no longer worry about it. My father's own waterworks flowed often. Seeing another person crying (even Boehner)gets my tears a-flowing. -- Dan McCoy, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

What makes me weepy is watching my 14-year-old son play his guitar. He truly exudes his love of his music. My emotions surge, as I have such big dreams of him being a star with his talent. Even when I watch the Grammy's, I get choked up because I see him among them someday. -- Donna Ricci, West Islip 

I remember getting teary when each of my four sons made his First Holy Communion. It happened as all the second graders were singing "Hear I am, Lord" and "City of God." Coincidentally, one of the lines in City of God is "May your tears be turned into dancing." 
-- Marjorie Monahan, Lynbrook 

My heart has always been full of unabashed patriotism, even during the turbulent '60s. I got it from my dad. We both loved parades and our eyes would fill with each passing American flag and patriotic song.

I got weepy watching the ceremonial returns of the POWs from Vietnam in the '70s, when the American hostages arrived home from Iran after 444 days in captivity in the '80s, and when each flag-draped dead patriot was pulled from the 9/11 ruins of the Twin Towers.

I became teary at airport arrivals in 1974, when I first glanced my husband in full Air Force uniform as he disembarked after his tour of duty abroad, even though I'd been with him the whole time. When I myself arrived at customs and immigration two days earlier, the agent handed me back my passport, looked me in the eye and said, "You've been away a long time. Welcome home." I got weepy over that too. -- Joyce Oehler-Ey, Holbrook 

I, too, am a crier. When I see my grandchildren, I tear up as I'm hugging them and when I speak to them about anything personal I cry. I sometimes wonder what they think of that! When my darling mother died Sept 6, 2008 at age 99, I had many, many months of crying.

Also, I watched the movie "Up" and I dare you to watch it without crying! I'm proud of my tears because it shows I care. -- Martha Rowan, East Rockaway 

I come from a family of criers. My mother always seemed to turn on the waterworks and as a kid, I viewed it as her attempt to get things her way. My father usually gave in. Oh, and how she cried when Nixon gave his resignation speech. But apparently no one was listening, because Nixon left office anyway.

I saw my father cry for the first time when his mother passed away. But when I got married, I don't know who cried more out of the two of them - I have to call it a tie.

I never shed a tear -- until my children were born. It started with sports; the Rangers winning the pennant, Yankees and Giants becoming world champs. What the heck was happening to me?

Of course there were the usual sentimental movies, Hallmark commercials, Christmas carols, my son's graduation from kindergarten and then high school. I had to video his high school graduation because if I didn't keep myself busy, I would have missed the whole event due to my sobbing.

Now that he's off at college, I find myself crying, still in private, whenever I hear my husband practicing the piano and singing "Cats in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin. But really, who can hear that song without a little leakage?

Next year, my daughter is off to college and then there will be weddings and grandchildren (I hope). Let the sobbing begin.
-- Susan Scoppettone, Smithtown 

Many years ago I was invited to observe a class of 3- and 4-year-old mentally and physically handicapped children. Seeing those precious little ones, some with serious multiple physical and/or mental handicaps, devastated me.

I was scheduled to observe for three hours, but after 10 minutes, I had to leave as I could not contain my tears. Since then, I have been in contact with similar groups of youngsters, but, to me, it is always like seeing them for the first time. -- Edie Ellenbogen, Merrick 

I am easily brought to tears by stories of sadness and tragedy, heroism, courage, sacrifice, inspiration, unrequited love, and happy endings. While the medium is often movies, TV, radio, and books, I'm especially amazed at how so many different three-minute songs can continue to choke me up after dozens of repeat listenings over years and even decades.

Here is a list (in no particular order) of songs that still get to me every time I hear them:

1. Dion, "Abraham, Martin, and John"

2. Michael Jackson, "We Are the World"

3. Dixie Chicks, "Traveling Soldier"

4. Mark Wills, "Don't Laugh at Me"

5. Randy Travis, "Three Wooden Crosses"

6. Kathy Mattea, "Where've You Been?"

7. George Jones, "He Stopped Loving Her Today"

8. Garth Brooks, "Wolves"

9. Roy Orbison, "Running Scared"

10. Bobby Vinton, "Mr. Lonely"

11. Clay Walker, "The Chain of Love"

12. Taylor Swift, "The Best Day"

13. George Strait, "You Can't Make a Heart Love Somebody"

14. The Royal Teens, "Believe Me"

15. Willie Nelson, "You Were Always on My Mind"

16. Hank Williams, "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"

17. Collin Raye, "One Boy, One Girl"

18. Brad Paisley, "He Didn't Have to Be"

19. Kenny Chesney, "That's Why I'm Here"

20. Conway Twitty's "That's My Job"

21. Carry Underwood, "Just a Dream"

Richard Siegelman, Plainview 

I remember when my first grandson, Nickie, was born. On his first Christmas, I remember lifting him up to Santa Claus, who was sitting in a fire truck in Copiague . . . [or] going on vacation and holding him in my arms as we visited the sites. I remember pushing his stroller around the block and singing "Puff the Magic Dragon" to him.

I remember Grandparents Day when he was in kindergarten, his first soccer games, his first Communion and Confirmation. I remember when he played varsity volleyball in high school and the two 10K races we did together at the Long Island Marathon.

I remember the pride I felt when he graduated high school with honors and when Nickie was the shortest kid in his class. Now, he's over 6 feet.

Nickie's in college at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate Troy. I know, I know, there comes a time when he has to spread his wings. But still, all these things make me cry, a mixture of sadness and happiness for my first grandson. -- Michael Cesare, Copiague 

I must confess that I am a weeper. When my children were young, they would always fetch the tissue box if we were going to watch "Lassie."

Melodies of the Big Band era, such as "I'll Never Smile Again" or "Stardust," bring on the tears. Remembering my son as a young Boy Scout marching in the Memorial Day parade, and my daughter starting to wear makeup as a young teenager made me weepy . . . she was growing up so soon.

Listening to and singing our national anthem is stirring, as are some of the hymns in church. The playing of "Taps" is crying time.

I try to hide these tears at times, but realize it's affirmation of my humanity.  -- Eleanor Sieber, Ridge 

What makes me misty-eyed? Watching a love opera, such as "La Bohème" or "Madame Butterfly." The combination of the poetic story, live acting, inspiring music and staging triggers the emotions. The same feelings apply to Broadway shows such as "Les Misérables."

These emotions do not occur on TV or in movies.
-- Paul Mammino, Bethpage 

I read with more than mild interest the article on those who are easily brought to tears. That is me. I cannot control myself when I am in attendance in a large group engaged in an activity such as Pledge of Allegiance, singing the national anthem or marching in a parade.

I know my dad was likewise affected by emotional crying (a World War II hard-core Navy vet, mind you), and I wonder if this is indeed a genetic thing.

I like to think that emotionality and tenderness are not bad things.
-- Antoinette Donato, Miller Place 

My eyes fill up when I visit a war museum and think of all those dead or maimed and how this devastates the lives of their husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters and all their friends.

I am equally moved hearing "The Star-Spangled Banner" or any patriotic song.

Writing a card to my husband, telling him how much I love him, seeing a father walk with his young daughter, or an elderly couple walking hand in hand brings tears to my eyes.

Crying is the utmost expression of love, understanding and appreciation. -- Joan Huber, Brookville 

I always cry when the national anthem is played for a United States gold medal winner at the Olympics. And, many times I tear up when the anthem is sung beautifully at ball games.

I also cry when I am talking with someone who is tearing up.
-- Carol Mauro, Middle Island 

I was both astonished and relieved as I was reading your article about older folks misting up at the slightest thing. Frankly, I thought I was losing it and blamed it on my divorce. But the divorce was seven years ago, and I had never been sentimental before. On the contrary, most of my life I have been somewhat stoic and less than empathetic.

It wasn't until divorcing at age 50 and after 27 years of marriage and four children that I began to mist up if I heard a certain song on the radio, or of people suffering a world away.

At first, I blamed it on the divorce. Then I read your article [Act 2, Feb. 19]. Perhaps it is due to a greater appreciation of the fragility of life. I would like to know more about what causes it. Perhaps you can enlighten me, at least on where to look for more answers.
-- Barry V. Cohen, Coram 

From the ages of about 14 to 22 I felt like I cried constantly. PMS and broken relationships were mostly to blame. Since I am older, the usual suspects creep up to get me welled up: Anybody's wedding. Anyone's memorial service. Any version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" or "Amazing Grace."

But the weepies that baffle me most are coming via "American Idol"! Every season I think I am done with it. Last season I swore this was the end when Simon Cowell left the show. But I am back watching and weeping and I'm not sure why. The hopeful faces of young talent dreaming of stardom? The sappy backstories?

Hey, Steven [Tyler] -- welcome to the show. I will be happily tearing up along with you two nights each week! -- Joanne Talbot, Massapequa Park