I read this rather whining, melodramatic blog yesterday, that complained about traditional men. (The author mainly ranted about white family men, but his scope included any man who favored family, faith and from what I could gather, responsibility.)

That column gave me heartburn, both physically and spiritually. To deride men for being responsible, loving, caring, contributing to their communities and grounded as family men showed me only a sad, pitiful glance into someone who values fad over substance.

I would rather celebrate the men who stand firm in the breach of life's storms, putting themselves between potential dangers and their families. I would rather applaud the men who work to provide security for their loved ones, and who give their best effort to their careers, vocations or callings. I would rather acknowledge the men who passionately love their families and shower them with tender care. I would rather salute the men who, even tired from work, plunge into making their communities a better place, with mentoring, coaching and sitting endless meetings. Who take care of their elders and guide the youth.

Keep your trendy, cool, hip boys, who spend more time making snarky comments than getting anything important done.

I'd rather honor the men who help hold this country up. Who do the right things, and the hard things, because of who they are and what they stand for. Who are found in each of the cultures that make up our great country, and are spread across our land. Who might be gardeners in their off time, or bikers ....woodworkers or Marathon runners, readers or sports fanatics. But common threads unite them....a love of family, of community, a willingness to shoulder responsibility and a grounding of deep ideals.

Men of steadfastness, of loyalty, of quiet courage and sure faith.

We need, more than ever, an abundance of such men. Let's celebrate and cherish the ones we have.

--Beth