“Stilliforms” of Joy
Stilliform?
Hmm. Is that a real word? Yes, it is!
Its root word is derived from the Latin stilli which means “a drop.” And its suffix, form, means “having the shape of.”
Depending on its usage in a sentence, the word can either mean “having the shape of a drop” or “a drop-shaped object.” A few familiar examples of stilliforms include a water droplet, a light fixture crystal, and a teardrop.
Perhaps you are asking yourself: Does this website blog have a point? Well, if you’ve been reading my 2026 blogs, you’re already aware that my word for the year is still. This month I’m attempting to increase my vocabulary (and that of my readers) and to make a connection between the word stilliform and a verse of scripture. (Wish me luck!)
Here’s an example of the word used as an adjective:
The stilliform-shaped droplets of rainwater continually drip, drip, drip from the porch railing.
And now, an example as a noun:
The crystal stilliforms dangling from the chandelier resemble human tears.
According to multiple dictionaries, the usage of this word in the English language is quite rare. (No surprise there.)
Spoiler alert: You are about to read a stanza from My Other Brother. This picture book is scheduled to be released on October 15, 2026. Here goes . . .
Sometimes, I want to be alone.
I’m sad, and I cry too.
I sit and stare. I think of him,
The one I never knew.
That’s 5-year-old me in the illustration. Can you see the stilliform-shaped tears running down my chubby cheeks? I’m crying because I miss “my other brother,” William.
My goal in writing My Other Brother is to help children trust God’s sovereignty even as they’re grieving the loss of a sibling. The book is based on a true story—my family’s story. William Raymond Carlton, my eldest brother, was stillborn.
For many folks—maybe most—crying is a natural part of the grieving process. But God can turn tears of sadness into tears of joy. How do I know this? The Bible tells me so.
Ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. John 16:20b (KJV)
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5b (KJV)
My personal experiences have proven over and over that God’s word is true. So, in your times of grief or pain or sorrow, go ahead and let those stilliforms (or tears, if you please) flow. And reflect on this glimpse of a glorious future in heaven:
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4 (KJV)