Sometimes I find myself wondering if this “Men’s Work” is real, but not today.  My 19 year old son is leaving home tonight for Nicaragua to do a year long service term. This morning I gave him a cross necklace bought in memory of my rites of passage in 2007. I haven’t been a perfect father at all times, but I think the focus of my experiences with men who are “on the Journey” have helped me to deal with who I am as a man, particularly in relation to my own father and my sons. Hans has often teased me about how many men’s retreats I go to, but not this morning. Today we shared sadness and joy all mixed up in the same pot and I was fully present with him. This, thanks to men like all of you!