My Changing relationship with Schmaltz

True confessions. I have had a low tolerance level for schmaltz. In the past, it has taken very little sentimentality for me to label something as schmaltzy and either dismiss it or even upon occasion have such an aversion to it that I would feel like yelling, " Just shut up!" at the song or movie or feel-good poster touting messages of maudlin, mushy encouragement i.e. Have a nice day! or Hang in there! or Without the rain, there would be no rainbow. 

Yesterday afternoon while organizing a cupboard (therapy) i was listening to a Spotify-created "made for you" playlist (not one I had personally made).  Imagine my confusion when I heard what is perhaps the slushiest song of all time begin playing! Chosen for me? I think not!. But being too pre-occupied to hit the skip button, I let it roll on.  

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of a storm
There's a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind.
Walk on through the rain,
Though your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone!
You'll never walk alone.
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone!
You'll never walk alone.

What the heck? What was happening? Instead of gagging or rolling my eyes, I started to cry. 

​Cancer does weird things to one.

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