Mountain Beyond : Memoir Of A Young Boy Growing Up On Small Town America In

“Hoppy is gone! What will we do?” My father replied. “Well, we just have to search for him.” “Well, I’m sure he’ll turn up in due time.” There it was, the final anticipation that he would come home! However, I didn’t buy it! Off to my room I went – dejected and devoid of all hope. The tears came quickly in the quiet of my room. Emotion, especially tears, was an expression of feelings that were not allowed in our household. As a matter of fact, this era did not support the outward showing of emotion period! It was the philosophy that, “Grown men don’t cry!” Why not? Men were supposed to be strong, masculine and reserved. Showing other emotions diminished that role. Tears were not to be shown. Hugs and saying “I love you” were rarely seen nor were they acceptable.