The passage reflects the deep emotional pain carried by the character Cherry over a decade. The comparison of her tears to a teaspoon suggests that her sorrow, though quantified, is profound and heavy, representing a decade’s worth of struggles and heartache. Each tear symbolizes the weight of her experiences, conveying how her past has profoundly impacted her present state of mind.

This vivid imagery illustrates Cherry's profound sense of loss and enduring sadness. The mention of "ten years' sorrow" implies that her struggles have not only shaped her identity but also her emotional landscape. This level of grief indicates a narrative centered around the long-lasting effects of trauma, loss, and the complexity of healing.