JohnDF's Christmas GAW

Thanks for the awesome giveaway!!
One thing I missed the most was missing out watching my son play high school baseball. I coached him every year from 4 years old up till high school. I watched him pitched some nice JV games in 9th grade and was really looking forward to watch him pitch varsity this year.
Looking forward to hearing "Play Ball!"
On the plus side, I had the opportunity to spend a lot of times in the woods last spring.
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Heck of a giveaway John. I'm in.

What I miss most during this time is my family. My wife, daughter, and I still see our siblings and parents because they are the only ones we trust to take similar precautions. But I haven't seen cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles since last March. I feel like I've missed so much. It's brought into sharp relief this month because we aren't going to see each other for Christmas. I have four new nieces and nephews that were born this year that I've still to meet, and it hurts a little every time I think about it.
 
This is not an entry but thank you for such a generous giveaway.

I miss being able to see family the most. My family is all on the east coast and my wife’s is in the Philippines. We live somewhere in the middle in Hawaii.

Over a year ago my wife and I were able to secure vacation time off for Christmas 2020 to be able to travel to her home in Kalinga (her first Christmas home in 10 years). Obviously we had to cancel the trip and both canceled our time off and are just working.

I’m grateful for the porch and the wonderful people that hang out here. This place definitely made 2020 more enjoyable for me.
 
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It feels like a while since I entered a GAW for myself, but that is awfully tempting. I'm in.

The thing I miss most because of the pandemic is going to the movies. I love seeing movies in the theater on opening night. Watching movies is one of the only things I actually like doing in a crowd, but it is one of my very favorite things to do. I miss it so much.

I also miss affordable ammo. But that is really because shooting is something I could do if ammo was available.
 
Coaching tackle football. Here in California we have continued to not let our high school student athletes compete in athletics or any other extra curricular activities that are sponsored by schools. It's been a rough year, this just makes it rougher for a lot of kids across the state. Mental health is definitely down for this age group.

New regulations came out this week that have continued to "kick the can down the road." I'm hoping we can get a couple games in February and March. :thumbsdown::(:thumbsdown:

Thanks John for the opportunity!
 
I'm in John and thank you for offering this GAW. Mike first mentioned it and others agree, shaking hands, hugs and the like. I miss taking Nanc to the local theater and sharing popcorn while watching a movie, having family over for the holidays and really miss our Great niece coming to stay with us. We have no grandkids but are in a way surrogate Grandparents to her:)
 
Thanks John for the GAW. Like so many have stated, the one thing that I miss the most is time with family especially during the holidays. We're planning an epic campout on my folks property next summer when things return to normal - that is easily what I'm most looking forward to in 2021.
 
Great give away John, I’m a relatively new member so if I qualify for this GAW I would love to be in, if not, I would still like to share my thoughts.
I’m a teacher and a coach. Since this pandemic began hybrid and remote learning has really made it difficult to build relationships that are absolutely critical to the social and intellectual development of our kids. I miss seeing their faces light up when they finally figure something out or when my encouragement (or sometimes a little kick in the backside) to keep them trying works and they finally make a left-handed layup, with their left hand!;) I miss seeing the “rock piles” in my classroom which is what we call it when three or four kids are sitting at the same table working on a cooperative learning project and they are leaning in and working hard.
So I’m looking forward to the time when technology once again becomes a tool for learning, not the delivery system. That ended up being much longer than I planned, but then again, I’m a social studies teacher so at least that’s still normal!
Thanks John for this GAW and to everyone that read this whole thing, Merry Christmas!
 
Not an entry. Very nice of you to do this. My home life and work life has not changed very much at all. The social aspect has. I can't wait to be able to go out without having my guard up all the time. I feel terrible for the older folks I know that are living in fear and don't socialize at all. As others said before a nice handshake and smile are missed the most. Stay safe and happy we will get through this like we always do.
 
Not an entry, as I have already received a great Case 47 Stockman from a JohnDF JohnDF GAW already this year, but I’d love to chime in.

I am a pastor, and I love what I get to do. But COVID has totally thrown a wrench in everything. Much of what I do is accomplished via 1 on 1 meetings that are now video. I’m over it. I’d be ok to never have to do another zoom call again!

Not all for the bad of course. The distance, videos, and precautions have made us all work harder to show we care and have brought out the best in many people. But it is tiring to continue to connect with people through social distance and videos. I long for the days where we can return to being in close proximity with each other - but not lose the lessons we have learned about loving even when there are barriers. I pray that the days of lifted restrictions increase our appreciation for great relationships.

Can I get an Amen!

What a great knife and slip for a GAW!

BTW, Go Tigers.

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I am in, that knife and slip look amazing! As for this year, I miss in-person gatherings the most. This includes family things like thanksgiving and school events like open house and programs. My wife and I both work for our local school district and while we are a lot more normal than most (sports and in-person learning) there are still lots of restrictions.
 
Not an entry... I'm not a paying member yet.
I just wanted to compliment the fine leather work.
I think things have been easier for me to deal with than for a lot of people. I'm quite introverted, so I kind of enjoyed not being exhausted after too much "people-ing". I do miss seeing my family though. They live in northern Ontario and I live too far away to drop by for a driveway visit. I did manage to have a couple of visits when our numbers were low but nowhere near what I'm used to. It's especially hard knowing that my daughter (she'll be 3 in March) isn't able to spend time with my side of the family.
On the bright side, I got to spend a lot more time with her when daycare was closed.
 
Some great responses so far...
I just wanted to do something nice for my friends here on the forum, especially at this most celebrated time of year. I know sometimes I rub some people the wrong way, it's hard to interact with so many with only printed language. I always figured this forum was to discuss knives; enjoyment and disappointment alike. Sometimes what I say doesn't sit well with others and they tend to pick out the negative comments and overlook the positive ones. For this I am truly sorry.

What do I miss the most right now?
Several good things have been mentioned so far... human contact, seeing faces, movies, gatherings, etc. But there are two thiungs I miss most during these times. First, I miss my students. I am lucky that my school allows our students to attend in-person classes with social distancing, wearing of masks, and constant cleaning of all the surfaces. But because of the fear our enrollment is very low. Most of my classes only have two or three students in them. That is very sad indeed, I miss the interaction with a class full of goofy kids. Second, I miss being able to sit with my Mom in her assisted living apartment. She is 98 years old and her mind isn't as clear as it once was. I visit with her outside her window as we are not allowed to enter the building. She forgets the situation and asks me why I don't come in, asks me to fix her TV, or invites me to join her for dinner. It breaks her heart when I tell her I can't come in.

What I am looking forward to?
First, the vaccine... so we can start doing all the things we miss. I want to go to church (not on a computer), I want my classes full of crazy teens, I want to have a meal with my mom, I want to go to the movies, and I want the large hoards of people to stop invading my favorite fishing holes. I've kept a very positive attitude throughout this mess and make the most of a bad situation. I don't hide in fear but take precautions when I'm around others. I'm most looking forward to everybody being able to lose their fear and return to living their lives.
 
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