Sunday morning I packed up my bow, loaded my quiver with blunt tipped arrows a drove up to my dads for a little small game hunting and some stump shooting. I've made this trip thousands of times in the last 36 years, however this one was going to be different. My mom passed away a month ago and this was the first time I had been to the house since her passing.
When I got there, I went inside and sat with dad. For the first time in my life, I felt a little awkward around him. He looked a little tired, so I took up my bow as dad rested his eyes for a bit.
I walked an old over grown Christmas tree grove, hoping to find a grouse or possibly a rabbit. I didn't put up ant grouse or see any bunnies but this wood lot was loaded with stumps. There was a slight breeze and the sun was low in the sky casting long shadows. It was eerily quiet. I shot at stumps at various distances. my PSR was shooting very well.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/seanb45/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-02/FA8E0C0B-0839-4116-A00B-C6A517328E17_zps4sortcks.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/seanb45/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-02/FA8E0C0B-0839-4116-A00B-C6A517328E17_zps4sortcks.jpg.html)
As I came out to a small field, I reflected back on the memories of my mother. Specifically, 36 years before, in that very same field, I was shooting a solide fiberglass Stemler recurve, you know, the one with the rubber grip and duel shelf. Well, being right handed, I was shooting a cedar arrow off the right shelf, holding the arrow on with my left thumb. The arrow was split and three inch splinter went right through my thumb!! I told mom that I had a "splinter". Mom said, "hold on while I get my glasses...." I replied "...you don't need your glasses to see THIS" as I held out my thumb.
Sean,
I'm sorry to hear of your loss.
It's nice how time in the woods gives us time to reflect and bring back good memories!
Thanks for sharing.
I had a wave of memories and a flood of emotions come over me. I walked through the woods, tears rolling down my cheeks as I released on another stump. I stood in the field as a stillness came over. I removed a blunt tipped cedar shaft from my quiver, kissed it before I knocked it. I shot it in the air as I softly said "I love you mom". I could feel her there with me.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/seanb45/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-02/C996A62D-1E68-42DA-98FC-E574430E25E4_zpsinpqul26.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/seanb45/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-02/C996A62D-1E68-42DA-98FC-E574430E25E4_zpsinpqul26.jpg.html)
I feel ya. My mom is battling Alzheimer's right now and has really deteriorated since the last time I saw her.
It's funny the things that strike a chord...
That walk was exactly what I needed to clear my head. There was a ton of deer sign both old and new.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/seanb45/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-02/52FB2E6A-9FD0-4E02-8017-0D0C9DAD1D5A_zps1hudhlub.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/seanb45/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-02/52FB2E6A-9FD0-4E02-8017-0D0C9DAD1D5A_zps1hudhlub.jpg.html)
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/seanb45/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-02/60CEB684-4B7A-42D0-8775-FF1B7906B0BB_zps75oe2fja.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/seanb45/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-02/60CEB684-4B7A-42D0-8775-FF1B7906B0BB_zps75oe2fja.jpg.html)
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/seanb45/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-02/61A0A9FC-449B-4566-9602-3F4B6FB077AB_zps4wmmfidw.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/seanb45/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-02/61A0A9FC-449B-4566-9602-3F4B6FB077AB_zps4wmmfidw.jpg.html)
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/seanb45/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-02/8FE1D7DE-49F1-4A29-A747-8175BED9F5B5_zpszzav9zky.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/seanb45/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-02/8FE1D7DE-49F1-4A29-A747-8175BED9F5B5_zpszzav9zky.jpg.html)
Sorry for your loss!
Looks like a great day for you though!
Bisch
Funny thing is, is that my moms birthday is Nov. 2nd. It seemed that I always killed a buck on that day. I'm going to make it a point to be in the woods on that date from now on. She would always encourage my to hunt and would always check to see if had gotten anything.
Lost my Mom last June just before my bear hunt. I know where your at.......I had a bow made in her memory. :pray: :pray:
Sorry for your loss.
Sorry for loss SB...great memories
Great post and read!
Just after my mother passed, I went to my old golf gambling crowd of about 30 who had skins games on the weekends. Been in the golf business all my life. The golf course owner, an old Tour Pro in the golf hall of fame and close personnel friend, Doug Ford, ask me how much did I skin'em for? Well not that day. One of those thieves as I called them, a giant of a man who was a retired police officer from New Jersey, gave me a big hug and said "losing a mother is tough". Yup - never will forget it.
Great post! Sorry for your loss.
Everyone needs to find a way to handle the grief that comes with the loss of a family member. You have found yours, and surely peace will come to you. I am very sorry for your loss. I pray your dad will also find God's peace.
I can feel the sorrow of your loss but your memories of your mom brought a smile to my face...
Your honoring her well :campfire:
I'm sorry for the loss of your Mom. All I can say is hang in there. The pain never really goes away, but it does get easier. Trust me, this is coming from a proud Momma's boy.
Looks like you had a good day and recalled some fond memories, I'm sure your Mom was watching and feeling proud.
Sorry for your loss, Sean..
so sorry for your loss , I lost my mum in 2007 but think about her every day , always makes me feel a little sad .
Sean,
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. Think of all the wonderful memories you shared with her throughout your lifetime. Your mothers soul continues to live on in your heart and mind...
Great story and reflections of you Mother Sean. I dread the day.
I lost my mom last August and I relate your feeling! God Bless you and your dad!
My mom died in 1983. Today, it was a drizzly chilly nasty day. I delivered near where a house had a fire in the fireplace, and remembered a day like this, when I walked home after school and my mom had a fire going, and hot chocolate.
The gifts that a mother gives, and the perplexations that we repay with, are a tender tendering of love. A certain kind of day, a particular smell, a song, can put us next to someone loved who has moved on.
Thank God for your memories of a loving mother, not all of us get them.
Enjoy, yes, relish, your memories, even enjoy your tears. A loving mother deserves them. Thank her when her lessons prove true, and laugh when they prove less than that. But remember what she taught you, as she was the teacher with the purest heart. You were truly blessed. She was blessed with a child who will always love her.
Killdeer
Sean, Yery sorry for the loss of your Mother.
Thanks for sharing your memories.
Denny
Sorry for you loss.Keep your dad close.
Thanks for sharing your walk, Sean. And very sorry for your loss.
Sean,
My condolences again for you and ones who loved your mom. It looks like you honor her spirit well.
Thank you for sharing your story and pics. And hold onto that PSR until I have a chance to try it out. I always wanted to try shooting one.
Sean,
You are very fortunate to have many years of memories to remember about your mother.Thanks for sharing your day of remembering her.
Sorry for loss SB...great memories
Prayers :pray: :pray: :pray:
Thank you all for the kind words. My mother lived a great life, she had six kids, 2 girls 4 boys, 12 grand children, a great grand daughter and a great grand son on the way. She was married to my father for 60 years. She was brought up around hunting and would cook everything I killed.
As we all know, the woods are our home and playground. It's the place we go to clear our heads and relax. The wave of emotion on this walk was unexpected, but welcomed.
So sorry for your loss. There's no one like Mom
Sean, It was good to chat with you. I think of you often as you face these life transitions with the loss of your mom. You belong to a great family and heritage, stay strong and may the many uplifting memories live on. Well done my friend, I will continue to pray for you and your family...
tough stuff to read man. fitting tribute to your mom...loosing an arrow skyward. lost my dad a yr ago, watched him have a heart attack right in front of me and my mom on the living room couch, took seconds. the pain your feeling is good, makes you realize how much you love her, it will lessen but the memories wont. hold on to them, cherish them. return often to the places that give you comfort or make you feel closer to your mom. part of the healing process. peace.
So sorry for your loss brother what a great story and may Godbless you and your mother!! :clapper:
QuoteOriginally posted by Killdeer:
My mom died in 1983. Today, it was a drizzly chilly nasty day. I delivered near where a house had a fire in the fireplace, and remembered a day like this, when I walked home after school and my mom had a fire going, and hot chocolate.
The gifts that a mother gives, and the perplexations that we repay with, are a tender tendering of love. A certain kind of day, a particular smell, a song, can put us next to someone loved who has moved on.
Thank God for your memories of a loving mother, not all of us get them.
Enjoy, yes, relish, your memories, even enjoy your tears. A loving mother deserves them. Thank her when her lessons prove true, and laugh when they prove less than that. But remember what she taught you, as she was the teacher with the purest heart. You were truly blessed. She was blessed with a child who will always love her.
Killdeer
Killy, you never cease to amaze me with your perfect words.....
So well put!
Sean, I remember shooting your Widow one bright spring day in Florida.
I'm sure you shared our turkey hunt stories with your Mom.
I'm glad you shot an arrow into the air in her honor.
Maybe she caught it and will save it for you.
May you and your Father enjoy your times together remembering MOM.
So sorry to hear of loss of your Mom. Memories of Mom are always special and bring emotions from the heart.
Again, thanks all for the kind words. It just goes to show the therapeutic qualities of being alone in the woods with just your thoughts, stickbow and arrow.