Big, tough men with a marshmallow for a heart--do you know of one?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (13591)
March 18, 2023 4:04pm CST
They are out there, and they do exist.
I currently know of several or am related to a few of these fellows. If you don't know one, you should. They typically put off the initial big tough guy vibe when you meet them, they take no BS from anyone. At first, it's tempting to just write them off in your mind as impossible to deal with and move on.
Don't do that! Make an effort to be friends with them if you can. Many of these tough guys are marshmallow men, hiding behind that tough facade. Truly, they are.
One fellow I've known for years now rides the biggest Harley I have ever seen. He is a huge man, covered with tattoos and leather. He looks so mean. But he isn't. He works tirelessly at his job; he has several adult children he worships and would do anything needed for them. He builds wheelchair ramps for people who need them but cannot afford them. He mows several lawns for several elderly friends who can't do that. He has worked with two animal rescues for years, and has saved many animals from an early or untimely death, helped to screen and find homes for them. He helped with the oh, so terrible Michael Vick dogs, when they were confiscated and it was truly terrible. Those dogs were so very abused. ( I still think Michael Vick should have been given life, but no one asked my opinion.)
Yesterday, he was driving a van to be part of an animal rescue that was rather large, a severe hoarding situation. He called to see if I had any extra crates for travel, he was a few short for the trip. I did have 2 at this time, as I do still foster once in a while, usually only for an overnighter for an animal on it's way through the rescue system. He came by and got my two crates. He showed me the inside of the van, it was just stacked with crates and he said they would be full. There is another van going to the rescue also, coming from a different direction. I made him some hot coffee and he snared a sack of muffins for the road and a couple of sandwiches.
This big, tough man had tears in his eyes describing what the situation was for these animals. They had to wait for courts to decide what to do, and to get permission to go get them. These situations are so hard, it rips your heart out to see how some of these animals have to live. Hoarders think they are helping, but they are not.
I got a big hug and a thank you, but I am not in a position to do this right now.
So watch out for the big and tough guys who pass through your life. They may well have that marshmallow inside, with that giant heart.
10 people like this
10 responses

@rakski (107043)
• Philippines
18 Mar
@MarieCoyle oh that is very true. I believe in that too
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (13591)
•
18 Mar
There are still a lot of people out there with big hearts, we just have to look for them.
2 people like this

@1creekgirl (35466)
• United States
19 Mar
What a great post with very caring insight!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (13591)
•
19 Mar
Well, thanks so much for the compliment, very kind of you. 

2 people like this

@LadyDuck (428176)
• Switzerland
19 Mar
@MarieCoyle - Some of those big men wear a sort of armor to look hard and strong, but they are sweet hearts.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (13591)
•
19 Mar
@LadyDuck
Yes, often they want to look tough, but it's just a cover-up for being a really good guy.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (13591)
•
19 Mar
So many people judge others only by appearance, and don't take the time to get to know the person at all.
1 person likes this

@RasmaSandra (62450)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
18 Mar
I think those kinds of guys are the best to know, I have known some in my life and they have always been good friends,
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (13591)
•
19 Mar
It does seem that often when you find a person like this, they had rocky beginnings or a rough life at some point, but pushed forward to be the best they could possibly be.
2 people like this
@popciclecold (32414)
• United States
18 Mar
It must be good to know someone like that. Good job.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (13591)
•
18 Mar
He just never seems to stop, he is like an Energizer Bunny. A lot of people who are in rescue work are like that, it seems. But he adds in other things as well, I don't know how he, or others like him, do it all.
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (32414)
• United States
18 Mar
@MarieCoyle They have a really great big heart.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (13591)
•
18 Mar
@popciclecold
And never want acknowledgement, or praise in any fashion, either.
1 person likes this

@MarieCoyle (13591)
•
19 Mar
So many people are judged by appearance, I just wanted to say that we need to not do that. You never know what's inside the package.
@coldplay8 (1976)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
21 Mar
if we don't have prejudice, these guys wouldn't look like a threat to us. thank you for reminding us of that and very nice of you to treat him with coffee and muffins

1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (13591)
•
21 Mar
He is a sweetie and has done so much for others, anything anyone can do for him is much appreciated. He isn't rich by any means, the world needs more people like him. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@coldplay8 (1976)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
5h
@MarieCoyle it really needs people like him. i remember one time some unusual folk gave me my scqrf, that had fallen on the ground and adressed me as miss. other time, some fancy folk showed me with the finger where my scarf had fallen. what a difference.thank you.
