Imagine this scene: a man of around 35 has been to a men’s movement weekend. While away he realises that he’s never told his father he loves him, so he decides when he gets home he’ll do it. He gets home, picks up the phone and calls home. Dad answers the phone.
“Hi Dad, it’s me.”
“Oh, um, hi son! I’ll go get your mother…”
“No don’t get mum. It’s you I want to talk to.”
There’s a pause then, “Why? Do you need money.”
“No, dad. It’s just I’ve been remembering a lot about you, Dad, and the things you did for me, working all those years to put me through college, supporting us. My life is going well now and it’s because of what you did you get me started. I just thought about it and realised I’d never really said ‘Thanks…’”
Silence on the other end of the phone. The son continues
“I want to tell you thanks, and that I love you.”
“Son, you been drinking?…”
Source: Reported in Stephen Biddulph, Manhood. Originally told by Robert Bly.