Since Coulter was 6, November has meant mustaches for our family.
Just after Halloween, I would grow a mustache, and he and often the rest of the family would wear fake mustaches and take a picture with me.
It sounds like a strange tradition unless you are aware of “Movember.” You see, November is men's health awareness month, which focuses on men’s physical and mental health, and suicide prevention.
Originally, it was important to me because on Oct 31, 2001, my father, who wore a mustache my entire life with him, died from prostate cancer. A lack of an earlier diagnosis turned a treatable cancer into a fight for his life. He continued to fight for 3 years before he succumbed and died before my beautiful wife, Lanikai, or my sons Trevor, Dylan, and Coulter could meet him.
Then, on March 17, 2026, we lost our youngest son, Coulter, to suicide. Now, the month, and all those years of memories and pictures of us together in silly mustaches, have taken on a painful sense of urgency to remind those men that we love to take care of themselves.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. EPH 2:10
In this passage, our Father gives us identity, purpose, value, and responsibility. He created each of us with gifts, opportunities, and people to love and serve.
As men, we are called to be faithful husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, friends, providers, and protectors. These are not simply titles we hold, but responsibilities with which we have been entrusted.
Taking care of ourselves is not simply about living longer or feeling better. More importantly, it is about being physically, mentally, and spiritually prepared to fulfill the purpose God has given us and to be there for the people who depend on us.
We cannot control every illness or hardship that comes our way. But we can take responsibility for the things within our control, including seeking help when we need it.
Take it from someone who is now living in a world without my father or my son: the world is better with you in it.
You Are Loved More Than You Know.
If you can, rock a mustache in Movember and remember Coulter!
#CoultersLight #movember #suicideprevention #suicideawareness
http://www.coulterslight.or
