I’m so happy to highlight men’s acts of kindness to counter what has become a downpour of evil white men doing evil things (and that’s all we shall speak of it in this thread, okay?). Here are an overwhelming number of men being real men.
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I’ve been following @daddyfiles since I heard about his son being bullied for painting his nails. That was several years ago and many men stepped up to reassure his son to be himself. And his awesome dad has written several books on navigating being a man and a dad.
"I LOVE it! That guy (@DavidBegnaud) is so cool and good for him for painting his nails on TV. And that other guy (@nateburleson) used to play football and he sews?!? So awesome!"
–Sam's reaction upon seeing the @CBSMornings clip.
Link: https://t.co/XA4OhR8eHw
— Reproductive rights are human rights (@DaddyFiles) August 24, 2022
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There are some wonderful women in this video, too:
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These two are going to grow up to be amazing men:
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And finally, Steeplejack sent me this beautiful thread by Rep Andy Kim proves once again what a decent human being he is, as he celebrates his sister and all those he loves
In bottom corner I could faintly see a piece of paper with kid’s writing. I could tell it’s from my sister as the next photo is of her lovingly watching over me. As I zoomed in, I could see she wrote my name “Andy Kim” for the first time and placed it by my new eyes to see.2/10 pic.twitter.com/uUQOdGfmUd
— Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) July 12, 2022
It was the first time anyone wrote my name down as my mom didn’t know until my birth whether she was having a boy or a girl. And my sister was the first to ever call me by my nickname “Andy.” The origin of my name I’ve used my entire life. 3/10It’s sweet to think it started with a note from a sister to a brother. When I asked my mom and sister about this photo last night, my mom told me that my sister stayed with me all day. Never wanted to leave my side. When I cried, she cried. The start of our 40 yr friendship.4/10I share this story because it reminds me that who I am today at 40 has been shaped by the people around me, especially the people I love who love me back. They shaped me in ways I may never know until I stumble across a photo or memento that provides clues to how I grew. 5/10But it has also been 40 yrs where I have shaped others, hopefully for the better. Where I have nudged and made tiny ripples in others’ lives that left them feeling hopeful with a sense of togetherness. 6/10Tomorrow is my youngest son’s 5th birthday. Perhaps it is apt that my birthday is the day before his because I pour all of my life into his and his brother. My precious minutes here bleed into theirs. I give to them even without their knowing or perceiving. 7/10Like the way that my parents gave so much to me for 40 yrs. I don’t always return gratitude as I should, but I’ve learned myself now the joy of parenthood isn’t in receiving credit but in caressing the simple moments of love. Of the indelible yet imperceptible mark one makes.8/10
I apologize if you sent me any of the above and I didn’t credit you – please claim in the comments. I am getting a lot of good material, and keeping it sorted has turned out to be a bit of a challenge. But don’t let that deter you! Send more!
As always, be kind to yourself!
I’m sorry I don’t have any pet photos for you today…I’ll try and rectify that later this week if I get a chance. As you can imagine it’s been a bit busy here with the new rescue added to the other daily distractions. And I’m thinking, to clear out some of the backlog, next week will be all animal fun for the kindness post. Sooo many cute animals in my kindness file.
narya
Lovely; thank you.
SiubhanDuinne
Does no one remember Roosevelt Grier? Football legend, Bobby Kennedy’s body man during the 1968 campaign, and created some wonderful needlepoint.
Link: https://www.discoverbooks.com/Rosey-Grier-39-s-Needlepoint-for-Men-Rosey-Grier-p/0802704212.htm?cond=0003&gclid=CjwKCAjwmJeYBhAwEiwAXlg0AcJSJ9vQuEuzEIcEPRc0kyU9kLx8fyvJnYBzwaczm_txe-c01DnRqxoCx_cQAvD_BwE
TaMara
@SiubhanDuinne: I remember! I was trying to think of his name, though while I was writing this.
SiubhanDuinne
@TaMara:
I always think of him as a Gentle Giant.
HumboldtBlue
Christ, the kidney donor absolutely slayed me.
I’m pretty sure I sent you the Little League clip.
@SiubhanDuinne:
I did know that.
TaMara
@HumboldtBlue: And I thank you!
RSA
Very sweet. Thanks, TaMara.
HinTN
The cuteness files just made my day. Woo hoo and THANK YOU!
SiubhanDuinne
@HumboldtBlue:
I adore that LL clip! Have watched it several times over the last week or so.
prostratedragon
@SiubhanDuinne: Ah thanks, was just coming to say.
Beautiful letter from Rep. Kim. Implies the value of loving nurture and friendship.
mrmoshpotato
Great post. Thank you.
Omnes Omnibus
Excuse me. I think I need to go dust my apartment.
OzarkHillbilly
Growing up, I had a very difficult and distant relationship with my father. My mother always reminding us kids that my father, “just got off the boat.” Not quite, but Grandpa came here from Slovenia in 1900 and Grandma in 1904. Pop was born in 1923. I never got any demonstrations of love from him. When I was 10 yo or so, I made the mistake of trying to give him a hug goodnight. Yeah, I got told how that was wrong in all ways and I felt so small.
Fast forward 6 or 7 years, I was at a buddy’s house. His father had emigrated from Colombia, his mother from France post WWII. He and I were heading out for the night and he bent down and gave his father a kiss and his father returned it.
I thought, “When I have sons, we are going to do the same.”
I have, and we have. I’ve always said I knew my father loved me because he didn’t kill me, and it’s true. Lord knows I gave him ample reason to. But somehow or other that fact doesn’t fill the void.
I also told my sons, “You will be better fathers than I am.” and they are. I think I am most proud of that fact. What father wouldn’t be?.
TaMara
@OzarkHillbilly: Dang onions…
HumboldtBlue
@SiubhanDuinne:
It’s a great clip.
@OzarkHillbilly:
I still give my father a kiss when I see him. I remember being 13 or so and the bedtime routine was a kiss for mom and dad and I solemnly asked my dad, now that I was a teen, if we could stop the kissing. He said “sure” but I resumed it once I became an adult because he’s my dad and I love him.
OzarkHillbilly
@HumboldtBlue: Good.
eta: when my father died, I cried like a baby. For his death for sure, but mostly for all the things we never shared.
SiubhanDuinne
@OzarkHillbilly:
Jeeze, Ozark.
Jay
@TaMara:
thank you TaMara, I really needed this today.
West of the Rockies
@OzarkHillbilly:
You are good people. Cyber hug from a dude coming your way.
JPL
@OzarkHillbilly: Life is precious, and because of that I always told my sons that I loved them when they were going out. One day the younger son came back in and said you forgot something. He does the same now when he leaves his sons.
I like to think that someday my grandsons will pass that on.
eachother
Jupiter is vastly bigger than marble sized earth in contrast.
There is a Jupiter picture with an earth to scale next to it. Tiny. Like my comparative thoughts and concerns. A speck or less. Much much less. And irritatingly abrasive nonetheless.
HumboldtBlue
What does ETA mean? I think I asked this last week with a snarky question about Basque separatists, so I prolly forgot, but I don’t recognize the acronym.
Dorothy A. Winsor
@HumboldtBlue: Edited to add?
HumboldtBlue
@Dorothy A. Winsor:
Ahh, thanks.
OzarkHillbilly
@HumboldtBlue: Edited to add.
different-church-lady
Deleted-bad info
Jay
@HumboldtBlue:
Estimated Time of Arrival, ////
Jay
@HumboldtBlue:
Euskadi Ta Askatasuna
HumboldtBlue
@OzarkHillbilly:
Thanks
@Jay:
Hah!
@Jay:
Is that Esperanto?
The Moar You Know
I had my mom teach me some basic hand stitching. She didn’t ask why, which was good, because I’d planned on sewing fireworks into my clothing seams and smuggling fireworks across the border when we went down to TJ. It worked. I also sewed all my own patches onto my Boy Scout uniform.
It’s handy as hell; you can patch your socks, mend small tears, all that sort of thing. Can’t imagine why anyone would not want to learn how.
I still consider buying a machine every now and then but I have nowhere to put such a thing.
OzarkHillbilly
Cool shit.
OzarkHillbilly
@The Moar You Know: My mother taught me sewing so I could make my own backpacking gear.
Haroldo
@SiubhanDuinne:
Mr Grier lets us know that it’s alright to cry.
Haroldo
@OzarkHillbilly:
Thank you.
Louise B.
This is lovely. Thank you so much.
eclare
These are wonderful posts and comments.
Jay
@HumboldtBlue:
Basque,
Basque Homeland and Liberty
apieceofpeace
Late with this, but must second. Thanks, OzarkHillbilly, this is really good.
HumboldtBlue
@Jay:
Ahhh, so, (said with the knowing nod of Radar O’Reilly).
Ruckus
I had a friend who sewed. He had been a paratrooper in the British military, but he created clothing in his one man business. I’ve watched him create very expensive and beautiful clothing. An artist with cloth. In case it’s not obvious, he was a tailor. I recall that the cheapest suit he made was $1000. This was in the late 70s.
@The Moar You Know:
I’m old enough that I knew of a lot of women who made clothing, including my mom. She did the same for me that your’s did for you. And yes it comes in handy. And I actually do own a sewing machine, not a hand me down, I paid for it.
AM in NC
Thanks for these. My mom died exactly a month ago, and she was the most kind and loving person I have ever known. I am so lucky to have had her as my mama, but I am sure sad right now. Things like this post and these comments help remind me that joy will come back. Thanks, Jackals.
TaMara
Condolences. I lost my mom 9 months ago and it’s tough. Dread every anniversary that comes up, so be kind to yourself and take it a day at a time. <3
Jeffery
I wish I knew how to use a sewing machine and could make my own clothes. I would always get things that fit right.