Honorable men

An old-fashioned expression, I suppose; but then, I have a solid streak of old-fashioned idealism in me, so there you go.

I've found myself thinking about this quite a bit recently-- as I've read some of the reactions to the Windsor Report; as we hosted our neighbors to the north last week, and then heard and read different takes on that; and in my more commonplace interactions with family, friends and classmates.

So, what does an honorable man look like? Glad you asked. I don't know that any list of attributes would be awfully different for the women I know, but my experiences this week have dealt largely with men, so that's where my consideration lies at the moment.

Anyway, it seems to me that it includes:

• Humor: The ability to laugh at oneself, and to maintain a sense of perspective.
• Respect: A willingness to listen-- and to disagree, when appropriate, without resorting to disparagement, insult or ridicule.
• Fidelity: Not offering promises or commitments lightly, but making every effort to keep them when they are made.
• Integrity: Innate dependability; being as utterly genuine as possible-- even when it might be easier or more pleasant not to.
• Sensitivity: Not the schmaltzy talk-show sort, but a genuine concern for the impact one has on others.
• Honesty: 'Nough said.

I am blessed by the grace of God to be married to one such man; and to have in my circle of friends and acquaintences any number of others. Tripp and Todd and Micah, Ryan and Cliff and Mark... look down my blogroll, and you'll find several more. I think I'm more disturbed when I encounter dishonorable behavior, precisely because I know so well some shining examples of men who quietly go about being better than that, every day.