Despite the cash outlays, it was still a very good week. The birth of Ethan is a marvelous thing, not just because babies are wonderful, but because the Freefamily is, well, Chicken Little called Freeman "the strength of America", and that's not just poetic imagery.
I think one of the things feminism robbed from women--though not with complete success--was their specialness. The prevailing philosophy got it completely backwards: "Women's work" was always the important stuff. The world exists for the future. Men do important things, of course, but they do them--if they're good men--to make the world a better place.
None of which matters without a new generation to carry on. "Women's work" is senior, fundamental, primary.
So let us put you on a pedestal and worship you, while we have the luxury. We're clear-eyed about the work that needs to be done, and how you do a lot of the hardest and least glamorous of it. Treasuring you is both a great joy and fulfillment of our masculinity.
We know you can take care of yourselves. We know you're not weak. But you are precious to us. Letting us express that is a gift.
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Really touching. And yep, Freeman is a keeper!
ReplyDeleteSo let us put you on a pedestal and worship you, while we have the luxury. We're clear-eyed about the work that needs to be done, and how you do a lot of the hardest and least glamorous of it. Treasuring you is both a great joy and fulfillment of our masculinity.
ReplyDeleteThese are really gratifying words. Especially for a (mostly) stay-at-home-mom to hear.
But I think "men's work" and fathers in general are more undervalued at this point in time. There are some who are pretty blatantly trying to systematically eliminate your role in raising kids.
So, anyway... we appreciate you guys too! I am aware every day that I am able to spend time with my kids precisely because of my husband's hard work.
So nicely put. Thanks, Blake.
ReplyDeleteAnd this:
I am aware every day that I am able to spend time with my kids precisely because of my husband's hard work.
Second that.
Knox--
ReplyDeleteI think you're right about prevailing attitudes. At the same time it seems that forums that give vent to that (Hello, Dr. Helen!) often turn to misogyny. (I think, Darcy, you and I have corresponded about that somewhere.)
I think the whole thing only works when we defend each other, men for women, women for men.
The three of you give me hope for the world at a fundamental level.