And I really knew it watching those firemen after 9-11. Here was everyone tying to get as far away from the scene of the horror (as they rightly should!) and here were the MEN, doing what men have always done throughout history: striding into danger because they want to protect others. That is the bottom line for me.
Generally I'm a "glass half empty" person and have a hard time seeing the bright side of things, but even though I have known and worked with some real a$$holes in my day, my overall impression of men is that they are good, hard working, want to please and take care of the women and children in their lives, but in many ways, have been hamstrung (or castrated) by society's rules that they have to be tough and not feel or cry.
One of the things I like best about my bf (and my late husband was this way, too) is that he has an old-fashioned nobility about him. He would fit well into a role as an 18th century sea captain or something. I don't know how he turned out this way, as he had NO father on the premises growing up... only his mom's succession of boyfriends. He is self-made, I guess.
And no, I didn't have a good relationship with my father, so I don't know where my attitude about men comes from. My father and I lived under the wet blanket owned by my mother. He probably would have been happy married to someone else. My father and I made contact a couple of times in my life-- we broke through the barrier. One of the times was right before he died (on the phone; I turned down his invitation to come and see him in another state). We both apologized for not being a better father/daughter and it was very sincere. I feel more cared for him from the Other Side than I did when he was alive.
Remember the scene at the end of The Magnificent Seven when the three little boys who have been tagging after Charles Bronson (one of the hired guns) say, "Our fathers are cowards! They are afraid to fight!" And Bronson grabs them all and says, "Don't you ever say that about your fathers! They go out every day and work hard so you and your mamas and your sisters will have enough to eat and a place to live! I have never had this kind of courage!"
Don't mean to hijack-- just wanted to say that men are great! With all their baggage and struggles, they get out there and do what has to be done! And I salute them!
