- Joined
- Jan 19, 2007
- Messages
- 165
I was a very fortunate person who had a father to teach me the love of the outdoors. He wasn't a great fisherman or hunter. In fact he wasn't even good. But that never hindered his enthusiasm when we went out and baptized me forever in God's great creations.
In September of 1991 my Dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 40. It was spread throughout his liver and he was given a couple of months to live. By November my hero who stood broad and strong was now just a shadow of his former self. It was the day before the opening day of gun season in Michigan and he was in no condition to make it to deer camp. I went with my uncle's as he suggested and felt empty without his presence. As the group gathered back for lunch after the first morning hunt my Dad was there with his brother. He said he wanted one last moment with me in the blind like we had so many times before.
I never will forget that evening hunt. We never saw a deer but it didn't matter. Dad talked about how proud he was of me and that I turned out to be a good young man. He said never take anything for granted and to not make the same mistakes he did. He passed on A few months later.
I never hunted again with anyone. I hunted alone and eager to go alone because it was during that time that my memories would come back of different adventures together.
I am now a proud father of a daughter who is 9 and a boy who is 6. My daughter loves to hunt and my son loves to fish. I believe that I would not be a fraction of the father that I try to be if I had not lost my father at an early age. Also, it was the passion of the outdoors that kept me out of trouble. It is great to see through my fathers eyes as I watch my own children learn the same lessons my father taught me.
Turning 37 this year, I think that my own father was only 3 years older than me when he passed. The most unconditional love is the love of of a father for his children. I thank the lord for blessing me with the opportunity to share each moment with my children and baptize them in the outdoors.
Work, bills, life is always busy. Take the time and bring your kids outside away from TV, computers, and playstation.
Thank you Dad for what you have given me. The foresight to see what important and to learn that life is fragile yet intoxicating.
Share your post on what your memories are of your father or better yet tell him.
God Bless
JR
In September of 1991 my Dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 40. It was spread throughout his liver and he was given a couple of months to live. By November my hero who stood broad and strong was now just a shadow of his former self. It was the day before the opening day of gun season in Michigan and he was in no condition to make it to deer camp. I went with my uncle's as he suggested and felt empty without his presence. As the group gathered back for lunch after the first morning hunt my Dad was there with his brother. He said he wanted one last moment with me in the blind like we had so many times before.
I never will forget that evening hunt. We never saw a deer but it didn't matter. Dad talked about how proud he was of me and that I turned out to be a good young man. He said never take anything for granted and to not make the same mistakes he did. He passed on A few months later.
I never hunted again with anyone. I hunted alone and eager to go alone because it was during that time that my memories would come back of different adventures together.
I am now a proud father of a daughter who is 9 and a boy who is 6. My daughter loves to hunt and my son loves to fish. I believe that I would not be a fraction of the father that I try to be if I had not lost my father at an early age. Also, it was the passion of the outdoors that kept me out of trouble. It is great to see through my fathers eyes as I watch my own children learn the same lessons my father taught me.
Turning 37 this year, I think that my own father was only 3 years older than me when he passed. The most unconditional love is the love of of a father for his children. I thank the lord for blessing me with the opportunity to share each moment with my children and baptize them in the outdoors.
Work, bills, life is always busy. Take the time and bring your kids outside away from TV, computers, and playstation.
Thank you Dad for what you have given me. The foresight to see what important and to learn that life is fragile yet intoxicating.
Share your post on what your memories are of your father or better yet tell him.
God Bless
JR
