This is a re-post of something I wrote several years ago for Father’s Day. I think this Father’s Day weekend is a good time to share it again, and now is a good time to celebrate and appreciate God’s gift of manhood.
It has often become an annual tribute to my husband, as we were married on Father’s Day weekend in 1976. He has been the best of husbands, and such a wonderful father, and now grandfather.
A man who excelled at being a father, and especially when the going got tough. Our boys were rowdy and rough. Tough, they came from wild Irish stock with independent streaks and hard heads. All things needed in good, strong men, but characteristics that must be guided, tempered, molded.
My husband, coming from a family of eight kids, with four brothers of his own, and a dad who also had a spine of steel, had plenty of experience to call on as we raised our boys, thank God.
And so, again today, I give thanks for the wonderful gift God gave us in men, especially my own, as my own sons are now fathers.
48 years ago Wednesday, I was blessed to marry the most wonderful man in the world. From the time I met him, just before I turned 18, he became the yardstick I measured all men by. He’s never failed to keep that bar high.
He inspired this post. I love him with all my heart. He has my respect, my loyalty, my admiration. He deserved the best of wives in return, but never complained about settling for me.
26 God said, ‘Let us make man in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves, and let them be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven, the cattle, all the wild animals and all the creatures that creep along the ground.’
27 God created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.
I had an experience this weekend that made me think about men, about masculinity. It seems manhood is under attack these days from many directions. Indeed, in my opinion, a part of what so offends so many people about President Trump, especially liberals and sissy Never Trumpers is his unapologetic masculinity. He is a man who knows his power and embraces it.
That being said (and I can’t believe I put it in here, knowing where it could lead) please don’t make this another political free for all. My point here is broader. I’m asking you to take your politics to the presidential thread. I’ll trash any off topic conversations or the whole post if needed.
To all you guys out there, tough guys, whether you express that inner strength clad in a business suit or well worn jeans and work boots, please accept the appreciation and approval of those of us who celebrate who and what you are, and what you do. Every day in ways large and small, you go out and just get the job done. You don’t ask for approval, thanks, or cheers, because it just wouldn’t occur to you, and you are too busy getting things done to stop for recognition.
Lots of feminists have a problem with men. I believe they throw around terms like patriarchy, which they probably never looked up in their Funk and Wagnalls. Some women, and even a few men, appear to be threatened by the reality of masculinity.
Get a grip chicks, if you are really okay with who and what you are, men are not a threat, but a gift, not competition, but complementary. If your “feminine power” must be derived from the destruction of the epic event of God’s creation, you are pathetic already and men have nothing to do with that failure, you own it.
I’m not even going to waste breath here encouraging men to not allow women to define their masculinity. He who does that is already beyond my poor advice.
All ages, sizes, colors, and other assorted variations. You were different from the moment of conception, and thank God for that. As a child you were faster, stronger, dirtier, and louder. You were often fearless while I stood beside you weighing the odds and assessing the situation. You climbed the tree while I looked for the ladder. You snuck out with the family car while I was cajoling dad for the keys.
In my day, back in the Dark Ages, as we grew into teens and young men and women, some of you actually appreciated my femininity and rewarded me with attention and admiration. Many of you were kind enough to open doors for me, walk alongside the curb beside me, and lift heavy objects before I tried to. You paid the bill for our dates, and if you ever wanted another one, you walked me to the door.
Because God is good, and loving, and gives us abundant graces and good things, in the early days of my womanhood, I fell in love with this wondrous creature God made from dust and clay. That right there ought to be a hint to us, man from dirt, earthy, strong, fundamental. But, I digress.
I married a man. A for real and not apologizing for it man. He has muscles and strength and brawn and intelligence and toughness, a toughness that nothing in this world has ever even come close to breaking. Not even a little crack. Not once in all our years has he ever even paused in the face of terrible trials and hardships. Now, I know him. I know that he isn’t a robot and he isn’t superman. Sure he’s had doubts, fears, and moments of desperation.
He never once, not one time, not ever, considered giving in to them. On his shoulders landed the burdens that would have crushed me and our family without him. God alone knows the weight he bore. His faith was apparent and he led our family to church, led us in faith and worship. The kind that isn’t really so much talked about as lived.
So today, as we honor fathers, I just wanted to throw out a little appreciation for men. I pray that as the world turns and we learn from our mistakes, someday it is popular and honored for men to be men again. Soldiers, sailors, welders, business men, salesmen, teachers, pipefitters, mechanics, electricians, truck drivers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, preachers, rabbis, priests. Fathers, husbands, sons.
Thank you, God, for making men. Thank you for making them in your image. Thank you for all the wonderful men you gifted us with, especially your Son. Thank you for fathers who tirelessly protect and defend families, and not just their own. We pray that you sustain them each day and reward the fruits of their labor with strong families fit to handle the terrible troubles we face.
Happy Father’s Day guys, from the Treehouse to all of you.
My Dad: grew up during the Depression. At 9 years old he worked for a farmer and earned a $1.00 a week and gave it to his parents. Had to quit school after the 8th grade and work to help his family. Served in WWII as a firefighter for the Army/Air Corp. Read the Bible three times overseas in Africa and Europe. Came home to meet his 3 year old son. Worked and bought a 50 acre farm and eventually farmed over 500 acres with 150 milking cows. Was putting on a new roof to the house at 80. When the going gets tough for me I just see my Dad and know I can get through it with the Lord’s support and the memories of my Dad’s examples. He was one the greatest generation and God’s gift to us!
Beautiful tribute, Joy. Yes, he was a gift from God!
The difference in those times, were that men typically had supportive women/wives at home. Nowadays, men are more often than not…. Truly screwed when times are bad…. (most don’t have women right now.) The women are supposed to be helpers of men, the Bible even says that. Yet, most aren’t willing to marry and help a man raise a family, household, etc. These are perilous times we are living in thanks to Democrat Brainwashing.
Thank you for that Menagerie.
This brought me to tears because I lost 2 of the strongest men in my life, my husband and father. What a heartbreakingly beautiful tribute to what encapsulated them both. Brava, Menagerie. God bless you. ♥️
God bless YOU, Emily. May God be with you.
Thank you for that stirring post, Menagerie.
My Dad was a first-generation American, brought up without much supervision in a non-English speaking household. He grew up street wise and street tough. Athletic from the get-go, in early adulthood he dropped out of college to become a pro wrestler. Always a scrapper and quick with a fist, nobody messed with him.
My dad was a man’s man but tender as a lamb with women and children. He practically worshipped his mother-in-law whose gentle refinements stood in stark contrast to his own bootlegging mother.
A showman and storyteller, my dad was equally at home chatting up local bigwigs and diner waitresses. Does any of this sound like someone we know named Donald J Trump?
In every rally, President Trump conjures up my dad in persona, body build, vocal style and mannerisms, even down to his baseball cap and suit jacket (my dad’s signature garb). It’s no wonder these rallies move me to tears.
Happy Father’s Day, President Trump!
My father, who is much missed, also came from Irish stock. Both his parents came here from Ireland. Because of the poverty, the had no choice, even though they wanted to stay in Ireland.
I miss my father every day. He was such a wonderful man.
My ex-husband’s father left the family when they were very small. So, he didn’t really know how to be a father. Also, he was gone a lot. Luckily my father was around a lot of the time and had a great influence on my son. I see so much of him in my son now that my son has his own family. I am very proud of the father he has become. I always felt safe and loved around my father and was definitely a “Daddy’s girl.” I think his children will say the same.
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL,
INCLUDING THE RADICAL LEFT DEGENERATES
THAT ARE RAPIDLY BRINGING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
INTO THIRD WORLD NATION STATUS
WITH THEIR MANY ATTEMPTS
AT TRYING TO INFLUENCE OUR SACRED COURT SYSTEM
INTO BREAKING
TO THEIR VERY SICK AND DANGEROUS WILL.
WE NEED STRENGTH AND LOYALTY TO OUR COUNTRY,
AND ITS WONDERFUL CONSTITUTION.
EVERYTHING WILL BE ON FULL DISPLAY COME NOVEMBER 5TH, 2024
– THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.
MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!
I was lucky enough to be married to a real man for 38 years. He raised my 3 kids as his own and they loved him more than I can say. We lost him 18 months ago and there is an empty place in my heart, will be forever. Fathers Day is hard for all of us. An Army vet, a general contractor a loving husband and most of a a incredible father.
For those whose whose fathers have finished their earthly journey and now rest in the arms of the Lord 🙏🏻
My best friend lost her husband last year and this is the first year her kids are without their Dad.
This is so beautiful that I sent it to both of them. Mikey suffered till the last breath so as sad as it is that he’s no longer with us, we all know that he is no longer in excruciating pain from cancer. It still doesn’t make it any easier missing him….
I am so sorry, Teresa. It is not difficult to imagine their home on this day. Cancer is a hideous, vile disease and I know it was unbearable for them to have to watch him suffer so abominably. They are remembering the father when he was whole and well I would imagine, those most precious memories, so preferable to others. I understand exactly what you mean…
I found this bittersweet and poignant meme this afternoon and very nearly didn’t post it, thinking it was too late in the day to do so. But primarily because I didn’t want to bring upset to those whose fathers, like Mikey, had passed away recently and whose grief would still be open and raw.
Thank you for letting me know it might just bring a small measure of comfort to your friend and her family today. I am very glad I left it here 💕 🕊
Well, I guess i need to apologize to Menagerie.
I’m sorry for my attempt at humor…
Dear heavenly Father please bless and protect those here at CTH with wisdom and guidance in their roles as fathers. May your glory shine through them as a beacon of hope and example for all those whom they love and care for. Amen
Happy Father’s Day gentlemen!
❤️❤️❤️
So well stated and thank you for sharing. Congratulations on 48 years and may the Lord continue to bless you!
My life has been far from wholesome as you describe yours Menagerie, but eventually I did manage to find myself a real man, or rather he found me. His background was wholesome and healthy not mine. Women from childhood and high school (not college?) try to contact me now to reconnect and I really am shocked that none of them are married. They never mention the father(s) of their children. It’s amazing to me that with all the brokenness that I came from that I am the one who found a real man, a good man. I had been brainwashed that they were like unicorns and my life experience hadn’t shown me any better. When we married we went to a judge. NOBODY wanted us to be together, not even my church 😳. Yet years later I occasionally see former pastors and they can see that we are still together (but not at their church.). Of our area we are the only parents that have stayed married. I’m very aware of the war on boys and men. I got to go to a gender reveal for my son and his lady (and she always has been a lady) and some of his friends that have survived this holocaust that has been put on them are recovering from drugs and homelessness (sometimes their parents not theirs) and reaching for marriage and children, stable jobs, and mental/spiritual health and it was so healing for me to see that some have survived. Yaaaay! I’m going to read some of what you wrote to my husband later. Thanks!
Thank You.
Made an old man (and father) cry. God bless to all, especially all the Dad’s out there today)
Mama goldfinch-Yay! Happy Father’s Day!
Papa – Mmmm…bird seed.
😋
Thank you to all spectacular mamas that give us papas purpose.
X & Os you beautifuls!!
LOL! Happy Father’s Day!
Great post, Menagerie. “Mr. Menagerie” sounds like a guy I’d get along with just fine….
God bless you both & keep you safe together for the rest of your journey…
Thanks for re-posting that!
My Dad, rest his soul, was a Captain in charge of the motor pool during The Battle of the Bulge.
Tough Guy, raised my three brothers and I right. (2 sisters as well)
I tried to do the same for my two boys and my daughter.
They’ve given me 5 grandchildren and from what I can tell those kids won’t be treated with kid gloves either.
I’ve enjoyed reading this every time it appears…
Daniel Greenfield recently posted something that goes along with this topic:
“Healthy Masculinity” is the Most Destructive School DEI Program You Never Heard Of https://danielgreenfield.org/2024/06/healthy-masculinity-is-most-destructive.html?spref=tw…
Thanks for the warning.
My dear father had a difficult life. He was number one of ten children. He had to quit high school in order to help his dad support the rest of the family. He was an excellent carpenter because of that. He was always a serious man, so he met my mother who was happy and smiling and laughing and singing all of the time, exactly what he needed in his life.
He was in the Army during WWII as a carpenter. He was to be sent overseas, but had pneumonia (and more than once) which kept him stateside.
My parents went on to have eight children. He really wasn’t around all that much (I was one of the youngest) when I was growing up. He traveled for work building bowling alleys, so he was gone for long stretches. He would come home from work, and many times one of us (usually me) would be on the couch sick from a fever or flu. I remember him coming in and putting his cold hands on my hot face to make me feel better. He wasn’t demonstrably loving to his children, but mom always said he constantly bragged about us.
As I write this, his large crucifix is hanging on the wall behind me, so every morning I am reminded of my dad as I thank Jesus for watching over me. That crucifix hung in our living room above the doorway to the kitchen, so I grew up with that crucifix. My own husband took that crucifix, which needed mending, a few years back and cleaned the wood and put a fresh coat of varnish on it. I cleaned Jesus and he looks fresher and the crackling of the ceramic bears testament to how old it is.
Thank you, Dad, for working hard for all of us for all of those years, and for passing along your faith. He died in 1988 of lung cancer the day after his 72nd birthday. I am glad he got to meet his granddaughter, my daughter, long before that.
Few notice it says ‘like us’. Plural. It opens up some interesting possibilities. We are ‘like’ the fallen too.
Late post from me ,but thanks !
Excellent post !
Thank you Menagerie, after all at 80 years to see something positive in print, there are no words. With 9 grandchildren, three families,through four conflicts I can rest a bit, knowing someone is aware. Raven6