Read the following paragraph and answer the question. Give ONLY the answer, no other words or explanation.

For example:

Answer: <most likely answer, as short as possible>.

Paragraph: He was a part of me in a way I would never know while living . And here , in the distorted heaven projected around me , I finally could . And damn if the words did n't make tears sting in my eyes . I would have been embarrassed , but I think I was past all that .

Question: Why was I past all that ?
Crying in public is really nothing to be ashamed of .
The speaker might have been past embarrassment due to advanced age or emotional maturity.