The "single tear" cliche is a way of letting me know the scene is tragic. At least, that's what you think.
For a reader (definition: one who does not like to be hit over the head with things any more than anyone else does), it sounds more like this:
"TRAGEDY! MY HEROINE IS TRAGICALLY PERFECT! HER WOE IS PERFECTLY TRAGIC! EVERYTHING IS JUST SO PERFECT AND ELOQUENT AND TERRIBLE! OH, THE HUMANITY!"
Don't go to shout. Lose the single tear. We hear you plenty well using your indoor voice.
