Beautifully descriptive writing, brother. I think most men have struggled with their personal definition of masculinity, I know I have. About a year before my daughter came out as transgender I actually asked her how she felt about the type of masculinity I was modeling for her ("he" at the time). I'm blessed to be able to have those types of conversations with my kid. She said I had been very positive, the things you listed as qualities as a real man. I did not want to carry forward the toxic sludge my father loaded me with. But, having my daughter come out as transgender has put an interesting spin on the stories I tell myself. Thank you for sharing and getting the good word out there.