Hair Peace

[H2O Man]

4. I discourage my sons

from fighting. The older one is a laid-back, peaceful young man. He's big and strong, but isn't the type to get into fights. He doesn't even like to watch boxing matches very often (only does to hang out with his brother and I).

The younger one loves boxing. He's had offers from guys like Micky Ward and the late Manny Steward to fight for them. I'm happy that he's back in college full-time, and working in human services part-time. But even at a college/university, there can be violence.

A while back, in the evening, he happened upon a gal he knew being pushed around by her then ex-boyfriend. The guy had two friends with him. I would later hear from the young lady's father, thanking me for my son intervening. When I asked my boy about it, he said that he remembered what I taught him: if confronted with two or more foes, take the loud-mouthed leader out fast. The other(s) will not get involved. He said that my lesson worked well.

In ways, I did well as a father. However, both sons do have short hair. I mean, I like short-haired men. One recently moved into our neighborhood. He's become one of my best friends ....