And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers - Mal 4:6
When I was 3 my parents divorced and my brother and I moved away from Michigan with our mother. I would not see my father again until I was 14 and that time was only for about an hour. Years past and I joined the army right out of high school, got married and bought a home. In 2004 I went to Ft. Bragg, NC, leaving my wife at in WA, since I would be training and gone in the field most of the time. During my stay I had much time to grow in the Lord, reading His word and fellowshiping with others. I felt Him impress upon my heart that I was to forgive my father and let go of any ill feelings I had towards him. So upon my return trip to WA I stopped in MI to visit family and then went to have dinner with him and his wife at their place. After dinner we somehow got into talking about hunting and I stated that I had never been. He showed me his Shaefer Silvertip and I shot a few arrows. Wow was she beautiful and although I had no idea of what I was doing I was having fun. We parted ways and over the next three or so months spoke periodically over the phone. One day while we were talking he asked if I would mind if he sent me a bow and some arrows. I told him I thought that was a lot but wouldn't stop him. I now think back to that and wonder how hard it would be to be unsure of how your son feels about you sending him something and I thank the Lord for the love between my little boy and I.
Since that time we have built a relationship due much to our mutual love of traditional archery and hunting. Coaching someone along from across the country is not the prefered method but he did all he could to help me along. Books by TJ Conrads, and G Fred Asbell came to my doorstep and I soaked it all in. To bring this story to a close, we are planning an elk hunt in Colorado this year. I thank God for bows, His promise, and those who hold onto them.
If you have a story of how bowhunting affected your relationship with your parent or child I would love to hear it.
Your tale of healing brought a smile to my face. Walk happy trails together, Father, Son, and Son.
Killdeer :campfire:
That's good stuff right there Bear Heart!!
Hang on to those few good memories and all the bad ones dissapear.
thanks for sharing !
And that's the tale between fathers and sons...
Enjoy your elk hunt and your time together.
QuoteOriginally posted by Killdeer:
[QB] Your tale of healing brought a smile to my face. Walk happy trails together, Father, Son, and Son.
IMO there are no better words I can add to this. Killdeer said it all.
Thank you.
I enjoyed reading that. Continued happiness to you and your family.
Bear Heart, I for one want to thank you for your service for our country and also it sounds like you have all your ducks in a row. You are on the right path my friend... God Bless You on your trip with your Father and I hope you and your Dad have a great time together ! Keefer <><
Its a good continuum of your relationship with your father,Im sure all your wounds are healed by now.You can now invite your father to the Trad Gang family if he is not a member yet.Have a great hunt with your dad.
Gil
:)
As a child, I had it all. I did not have to look back to see if my parents were there. I KNEW they were. Sometimes, life was still difficult.
I have three children of my own. My wife and I are there for them. This, they KNOW. Sometimes, life is still difficult.
It is hard to describe how it feels when you realize that the helpless bundles you brought home from the hospital, are now hunting partners. Changing their diapers, to teaching them how to fletch their own arrows, in a very short time. I am their father, but they are my best friends as well. My story is simple. Everything we do is made better by the strong bonds that hunting has created.
Putting the past behind you, and rebuilding your relationship with your father is something that not everyone would choose to do. Your choice will offer opportunities for everyone involved,
that would have been lost otherwise.
God is smiling. And so am I.