For all the hard work up here, this land is graced with some pretty soft men. Thank goodness.
Soft around the edges, the egos, the energy.
Today, we collectively celebrate fathers, and in doing so, we take note of the masculine rock that we find daily in our community.
It is our belief that being a father figure rarely requires kids. Usually, instead, it requires care. Care for neighbors, crops, communities, and the collective.
Self-care? Well, not so much, but that changing too.
The natural masculine gift and the nurtured tendency for hustle, work, compete, complete, and GO GO GO seems to be widening these days to create lanes for a more expansive definition of who men are and what their roles can be.
A softening, if you will.
On a daily basis, we see men love this land with a heart bent toward stewardship, not ownership.
We see men step up to needs with a mind toward service, not selfishness.
We see uncles, brothers, friends, and fathers take to the pools with a tone of curiosity and kindness.
We see children observing men who cry, stretch, nap, giggle, sing, dance, ask, listen, and, yes, who also unpack the car, start the fire, cook the meal, and carry the stuff.
We see softness dancing with stability. And, as is so often the case with a father-like feeling,
WE SEE SAFETY.
Cheers to all the men out loving on our communities with care and kindness!