My son's birthday was yesterday.

[HuskiesHowls]

2. I have several reasons, I think....

One of the reasons, I believe, was the way our father was brought up. Several things occurred in his life that had to have an affect: (1)his father died when he was 10; (2)it seems that his mother hated men. He wound up being raised after the age of 10 by a very stern grandfather, and his mother. It showed in that our father couldn't show affection to his sons. I think he did show affection to my sister, and most definitely to my mother, but not to my brother and I.

What wound up changing for me, and making life for both of my children better, was getting into therapy. My therapist was a strong believer in the mytho-poetic movement for men, and she strongly urged me to get involved. She knew other therapists who were leaders, and felt that my involvement would help.

It did help me. I found people I could talk to, who had the same background I did. I don't mean economic, or societal background, but I found men who had experienced some of the same things I had in growing up. Finding out you're not alone, and being able to talk about the baggage that you carry, with someone who has had the same baggage, can be a great cathartic. Realizing that I didn't have to just put up with things that hurt, that bothered me, really did help me change my whole attitude about life.

Unfortunately, it was too late to share with my brother, but it has enriched my life tremendously.