Every tribe has its rite of passage defining manhood. In our tribe it is this-- the passing of barbecue tongs-- the lighting of the flame. Today my son is a man. ‪#‎sob -- Cindy, via Facebook.

DFO: I suspect my rite of passage occurred the day my father handed me the keys to a tractor and told me to mow alfalfa in the lower 100 acres. It was the summer of 1963. I was 14. I mowed, raked & hauled hay for the next 3 summer, until my parents moved, leaving me behind to fend for myself and attend my senior year of high school. At 16, I suspect, I began taking care of myself. I've never looked back.

Question: What is the rite of passage in your tribe?