Wow - there were ten thousand tears 💧

If you really knew me, you would know that...

I have a crying practice.

I shed a tear most days of the week, and sometimes every day. To the point that my bestie gave me t-shirt that says “crying is my superpower.” 

Of course, as an n’betweener, I’ve got a diverse spectrum of tears: sad tears, joyous tears, mad tears, awe tears, hurt tears…

And, on Sunday morning, I had tears of INSPIRATION 🙌

Sitting on my bed, I watched the Queen of Denmark –  who reigned for 52 years – pass the torch to her son, our now King Frederik. It was a touching historical moment. 

Unable to stop crying, I called my mom and sister. They were in the middle of stitching this beautiful velvet on my old grandma's couch that my sister now wanted to use. It felt symbolic: the royal velvet, new changes, keeping the “old” with a twist of newness.    

My sister, slightly confused, asked me: “What is touching you, Nora?”

I responded, “the felt sense of being unified as a nation.”

To be part of a long lasting community ritual. 

Ten thousand Danes gathered all over Copenhagen, across political beliefs and backgrounds, to say goodbye to the Queen and welcome the King. All cheering, moved with tears. All covered in goosebumps.

I’ve always thought monarchies were pointless. Just money-waste branding…until I immigrated to the US and felt the stark polarity between Blue and Red. The constant split. 

I now see the Royal Family – a random selection of humans who somehow connect all of Denmark – as a powerful unifier and a reminder of our humanness.  

Now, I want to be clear: I’m not romanticizing the monarchy whatsoever, nor do I believe that this is what’s “right.” That said, I believe being part of something greater than ourselves is necessary for our wellbeing as humans.

It’s life-giving to be part of something larger than ourselves.

To be part of a ‘family,’ a community, a ritual, a nation, however dysfunctional it might be, there is beauty in this. 

King Frederik ended his speech with the following words: “Forbundne, forpligtet, for kongeriget Danmark.”

“Connected, committed to the kingdom of Denmark.”

As we begin this year, ask yourself what are you part of? What are you connected and committed to that is larger than you?

I’d love to hear from you, just send me a note.

Stort kram 👑

Nora

PS. You also a crier? You can join the Andrea Gibson club with me here. I promise they don't pay me to advertise.