Every morning I wake up with the thought: “Be strong, but gentle.” I teach him what I know myself. But there are things I can’t give. I can’t teach him to be a man. I can show strength, love, self-respect. But a male example is not me. Sometimes I see him searching with his eyes for someone who will explain: how to be courageous, but not tough.
Perhaps this is my greatest pain. I try to close this gap with care, conversations, sincerity. But I dream that someone will appear next to him who will show not with words, but with actions.
Because every boy should know what a real man looks like.
And, maybe, one day, he will become exactly that - not thanks to, but in spite of. And I will still do everything so that there is no emptiness left in his heart.