Cry-doggy.

When I was a kid, it wasn’t uncommon to watch my younger brother cry on Christmas.

One year, my family was at my grandparent’s opening gifts. All the grandchildren were gathered around the Christmas tree ripping wrapping paper from our gifts.

My grandpa went into his room as we were opening and got a special package for my brother.

My brother unwrapped it with a smile. He threw the paper on the floor, he held the rectangular package in his hands, but he no longer had a smile on his face.

My grandparents bought him a Barbie doll.

My brother cried.

Another year, my family took a trip to Florida where my brother, my dad, and I played golf together. We rented golf clubs at the course and we each got to buy a golf shirt from the clubhouse.

It was one of those moments in our childhood where my brother and I recognized we had it good. Probably too good.

My brother loved the clubs we rented so much that he decided to ask for that exact set of clubs for Christmas.

Christmas came that year and my brother, my sister, and I finished opening up what we thought were all of our gifts.

My parents asked us to meet them in the basement.

We each had one final gift to unwrap.

I got snow skis.

My sister got a pair of boots.

And my brother got the golf clubs he asked for.

I could use my skis the next day if I wanted to.

My sister wore her boots around the house.

But my brother had to wait until the Pittsburgh weather warmed up before he could use his clubs.

My brother went to his room and cried.

Another year, when I was in fifth grade and my brother was in third, we sat on our living room floor opening up Christmas gifts.

My dad left for a bit and when he returned, he was followed by a tiny black and white puppy that resembled a sheep as it hopped along behind him.

I laughed.

My sister gasped.

And, again, my brother cried.

He was so happy that all he could do was cry.

Growing up, I learned that sometimes you cry because you get what you want. Other times, you cry because you don’t.

I’ve also learned you almost always get what you need.

So cry if you must.

But remember life’s most important lessons almost always come in the form of a gift you never thought you needed.