Tear Jars

In ancient Greece, water was prized above all. Giving up water from one's own body, when crying tears for the dead, was considered a sacrifice. Tear Jars caught their precious tears, and their tears became holy water and could be used to sprinkle on doorways to keep out evil, or to cool the brow of a sick child. Tear Jars were kept unpainted until the owner had experienced the death of a parent, sibling, child, or spouse. After that the grieving person decorated the tear jar with intricate designs. This symbolized that they had not "gotten over" their grief, but rather, "grown through" it. they appreciate relationships and life more, and find meaning in the little things.

When a loved one dies, the resulting feelings of grief can be so painful that we tend to bury them, and they reamain unresolved. Feelings that are unresolved stay with us at all times, weighting us down. It takes courage to sit down and take them out one by one.

Grief is never forgotten!