My Father's Axe

This is a conversation between the mother and her husband about Tim. It takes place when Tim is 14 years old and has started to become ashamed of his inability to use an axe.

He idolises you, worships you. Haven’t you seen him trying to swing that stupid axe out the back? Every chance he gets, he’s out there, trying to be just like you! Slamming into the wood without saying a word. But he never will be. Don’t you see that?

Just because he can’t swing an axe or use a wrench, it does not mean that he is any less of a man. In fact, perhaps it makes him more of one. The care, love and loyalty he shows to both you and I, should make any man envious. I couldn’t handle having another man in the house that never expresses how he feels or what he thinks. He tries so hard; so, so hard, to impress you. He has spent his whole life thinking – believing – that he must grow up to but just like you….but that’s not what I want for him! Do you?

I know you do; but you shouldn’t. All I want for our son is for him to become a good, kind, responsible man - someone I would want my daughter marry.  He doesn’t need to swing an axe or fix a fence. I just want him to be able to love. But the problem is, I don’t think he knows that.

I know you aren’t good with words…but that’s me – your wife – that knows that. Not your son. You need to find someway to show him that you are proud of him. That you love him. Because even though you pretend as though you’re not, I know deep down, that you are. He is a good boy. Now show him that. And maybe you should start but doing something other than swinging that axe!