To Those Men

To Those Men….

To those Men, who have been called toxic by this “culture”…who are blamed for all of the wrongs, and even the shortcomings of others…. but who are the first called when the shit hits the fan.

To those Men who sacrifice their own dreams and ambitions to provide for others, knowing that they may never be thanked or appreciated.

To those Men who have recognized the faults of those that have come before them and themselves, and vowed that it would not continue with their children.

To those Men that know the dichotomy of protecting that which they love the most, their children, with the pain of allowing them to make mistakes that will better prepare them for an independent life..

To those Men who didn’t refused to accept anything less than excellence, called us out when we were sandbagging, and helped us realize our potential…

To those Men who gave up their evenings and weekend to coach, teach, mentor, and give back to something bigger than themselves and to those generations that would outlast you…

To those Men who held the line…..choked back fear….choked back tears….because they knew it wouldn’t help the situation…because they knew it was their job to do their job…

To those Men who are equal parts “heart” and “nerve” and know the times in which each are appropriate…

To those Men that know that progress involves taking risks, and understand that fear can be the biggest of lies…

To those Men who show the same respect to the bottom of the hierarchy, as they do to the top…

To those Men that work in hazardous jobs…. Where 150 people die every day, and 92% of them are male….

To those Men who know the difference between a teaching moment, and where forgiveness may be more appropriate….

To those Men who fall instantly and interminably in love with their children the moment they enter this imperfect and beautiful world…

To those Men who plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in….

To those Men who showed up and still show up no matter what…

To those Men who choose character over superficial descriptors…

To those Men who didn’t have a good example of how to be a father, but chose to be a great one anyway,

And to my Father, the best of these Men,

You are owed more than this Day, and we are forever in your debt.

“You have to carry the fire.”

I don’t know how to.”

Yes, you do.”

Is the fire real? The fire?”

Yes it is.”

Where is it? I don’t know where it is.”

Yes you do. It’s inside you. It always was there. I can see it.”

― Cormac McCarthy, The Road