"she was disappointed that I never seemed to step up and take care of things."
This has nothing to do with masculinity. Your name "suggests" that you see yourself as a professor, someone who leads and teaches. THAT's what she needs.
"She has tried hard over the years to be what I need, and I think it is my turn. I just hope it is not too late."
NO! It IS your turn. You said you were lazy before. Well you have to make LIFE changes. Not just light changes to draw her back and then you going back to your same old routine. She's showing you faith. Don't lose sight of that gift.
Like I said, your M is so fixable. The only person that it relies on is you.
So what steps have you taken so far in terms of making her feel valued?
M-43 W-40 2D - 9 and 5
Emotion, yet peace. Ignorance, yet knowledge. Passion, yet serenity. Chaos, yet harmony. Death, yet a new life.
