What strange things make you emotional?

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I've always been an emotional person, partly due to a neurological problem but I seem to be getting worse in my "old age".

I'm not a very patriotic person and I'm always a little about excessive patrotism but for some reason patriotic songs from other countries from other countries often reduce me to tears. I think it's because it reminds me how huge and diverse the world is.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=MogVdARCFgY This video in particular reduces me to floods of tears.

What odd things make you cry?

Taking off on a plane when going somewhere far away. Usually because I need to escape or the sheer celebration of having got us all onto the plane without forgetting something vital.

My favourite bit of the flight. 😍

The London Marathon! I actually avoid watching any of it now and catch the highlights on the news. Always so many sad but inspiring stories. I went to watch it one year, I was about 10. We had planned points we were going to watch as my family were part of a running club and a few of the members were taking part.

We settled for a bit around the 20 mile mark where lots of the runners are having a walk and look really tired. I watched a man who looked just like Frank Butcher from Eastenders climb up a lamppost and stand on the temporary metal fences. He shouted out something encouraging to every single person that had their name on their top (loads!) I remember it like it was yesterday. He was wearing a sheepskin coat as it was quite cold that April. If they acknowledged him with a wave or a nod he gave them a little clap with one arm tucked around the post.

At the time I thought he was mad as he would shout so loud for each person, but as an adult I think how lovely he was to do that. My mum said at the time he probably does that every year, as that's when they most need a little boost. I watched him for about 45 mins, he was still there shouting as we moved on. What a legend! I'm sure that memory is what started this for me! 🥲

@Hedgepiggy

The London Marathon! I actually avoid watching any of it now and catch the highlights on the news. Always so many sad but inspiring stories. I went to watch it one year, I was about 10. We had planned points we were going to watch as my family were part of a running club and a few of the members were taking part.

We settled for a bit around the 20 mile mark where lots of the runners are having a walk and look really tired. I watched a man who looked just like Frank Butcher from Eastenders climb up a lamppost and stand on the temporary metal fences. He shouted out something encouraging to every single person that had their name on their top (loads!) I remember it like it was yesterday. He was wearing a sheepskin coat as it was quite cold that April. If they acknowledged him with a wave or a nod he gave them a little clap with one arm tucked around the post.

At the time I thought he was mad as he would shout so loud for each person, but as an adult I think how lovely he was to do that. My mum said at the time he probably does that every year, as that's when they most need a little boost. I watched him for about 45 mins, he was still there shouting as we moved on. What a legend! I'm sure that memory is what started this for me! 🥲

Love the 'Frank Butcher' man I don't think it's weird to find the marathon emotional though. The combo of the sad but inspiring stories you mention and the sheer physical achievement, and the dedication that takes, is massively emotional. I find sport generally emotional. During the London Olympics I was basically just welling up 24/7, right from the opening ceremony Most emotional sporting event I can remember. I love/cry at Wimbledon too, particularly when a losing player congratulates the winner and means it. And when the crowd applaud/shout for someone who's clearly losing but equally clearly playing their heart out, or makes an unexpectedly brilliant shot and wins a point.