"Men are dying before their time" strikes my heart and mind each and every time I hear it.
The mind and heart are genderless! Both muscles are crucial to the human body and its basic functions. It is acceptable to feel sad. Trauma is trauma, and it is OK to seek assistance when our mind, body and souls are in anguish. Do it. Choose to live, and do so healthy and joyfully!
My father passed away in 2020 after a sudden major heart attack at the age of 67. As a result of my disbelief and devastation, I've investigated several reasons why heart attacks might occur apparently out of nowhere. If my father had been happier, perhaps his heart would have survived and he would still be with me. So often have I watched my father cry and asked, "Papi, what's wrong?" that I've reached this conclusion. He would wipe away his tears and respond, "Nothing, honey, it's just silly things" No matter how hard I tried to get him to tell me, the "stigma" of the powerful guy prevented him from doing so. I hope with every breath I take that I could have gotten him to speak so I could have helped. Time was gone, and I was deprived the chance to participate. YOU ARE LOVED AND REQUIRED BY SOMEONE, FATHERS, BROTHERS, NEPHEWS, FRIENDS, AUNTS, COUSINS!
My father had a difficult background. He was the fifth youngest of 21 children and was mistreated by an abusive father who abused him and his siblings. My grandfather was wonderful to me, but not my father. My father walked miles up steep hills and even stepped on nails while walking barefoot to school. Regardless all the challenges he endured, my father developed a strong character, made better decisions, and became a better father. My father left for work every day at 4:00 a.m. He strived to provide me with a better life than he had, and I am eternally thankful to him. I will keep striving and honor the life he led and his work ethic until the day I die.