Three years ago when Mr. Ron La Clair and Redbird were gracious enough to come down to the first ever TN Trad Archery group banquet I told my then 11yr old son Mason, that we would have to in turn go up to the North country and see Ron and Redbird. I was not able to go the next year to Compton or any other event up North and started that bad habit we all have of putting things off another year. DON'T DO IT !!! If you do not do the things you need to now there may not be the time to do them later.....
Last year I got my mind right and determined to go no matter what, no regrets. I also determined to get with Javaman and Ron and order Mason his own Shrew. He has wanted one ever since he met Ron at our TN banquet. Ron and Gregg went out of their way to make a father's dream come true as Mason's masterpiece came together. I owe them a debt of gratitude for pulling this all off perfectly. Mason had no idea at all what Ron, Gregg, and I had prepared for him at Compton 2010.
When we arrived Friday morning at Compton Ron called me and gave me the rundown on how we would wrap this surpise up..... Ron had put Mason's bow on the table with all the other Shrews and wanted to let Mason, "find ", his Shrew. Ron had written a personal message on the belly of the limbs for Mason and had the bellies turned away from Mason. Sure enough after meeting Ron and Redbird again for a few minutes and talking about how much Mason and Skyler had grown, Mason headed toward the Shrews. Ron and I looked at each as if to say, " Better get the camera ready ! " Mason halfway picked up a Shrew close to his but immediately laid it back down as his eyes fixed on his bow. He picked it up and was admiring it not seeing his name and message on the belly of the limb yet. His exact words were, " Man, this one is pretty. " He then rolled it over to check poundage and length as we all do when looking at a bow. As you can see in the pics he was ever so slightly SURPRISED !!! Again, his exact words were, " Your kidding me, right ??? " The next pic is what just comes natural when he realized what Ron, Gregg, and the old man had done for him !!!
All I could think of was the memories being made and how priveledged and truly blessed we are. I don't imagine Mason will ever forget his first ever trip to Compton. I can look down the road and imagine when Mason is older sitting a tree..... Ron, Gregg, and the old man will come flooding back to his mind as he looks down at his Shrew and reads the words Ron so fluently penned, " Mason- many coups with your Shrew "
(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u89/nocams/IMGP0473.jpg) (http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u89/nocams/IMGP0475.jpg) (http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u89/nocams/IMGP0477.jpg) (http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u89/nocams/IMGP0482.jpg) (http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u89/nocams/IMGP0486.jpg) (http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u89/nocams/IMGP0494.jpg)
Awesome story Jimmy.
The best kind of thread.
Sweet! It was a pleasure to meet you and Mason and see Skyler again. That is one very fine bow and Mason was very proud of it. Good dad work!
thats awesome. face is priceless. lol.
Great Story Jimmy! Skyler called me just a few minutes after Mason "found" his Bow...Sky was excited also. There are more PICS over on the other Compton Thread.....Gotta bring it down Mason so we can see it in Person.... :clapper:
That was just so cool Jimmy - I don't know how you held it together! Sure was a pleasure having both of you and Skyler around camp. I can't think of finer folks I have had the pleasure of sharing a fire with - we all had a ball.
You better get this one on your calendar right now for next year. We expect you back ;)
Man, that is fantastic! Thanks for sharing such a special moment with those of us who couldn't be there at Comptons. :thumbsup: :clapper:
What a great story. :thumbsup:
Bill
that warms the heart
way to cool awesome!!!!
Now that is just plain COOL!! I love that look on his face :thumbsup:
Nothing beats a great surprise!
One of the neatest stories I have read in a while. That is just so neat.
What fun! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Very nice.
:thumbsup:
Great story and what a surprise :clapper:
Great story. :thumbsup:
Jimmy, it was a pleasure getting to know the three of you. The time spent in camp was a hoot for sure. Mason is a fine young man and you will be blessed, I'm sure, for the fine job you did raising him. I appreciate the company in the booth as well. Both Skyler and Mason spent at least an hour just sittin and chattin.
Congrats Mason on a beautiful bow!
Great story and pics. Thanks for sharing with us.
great story, thanks for sharing!!!
that there is a very cool story and I'm sure the young fella will be flinging arrows with his kids in years to come , telling them the story of how he got "his" bow.
good stuff and made me smile for the whole day.
best
Ben
First thread I checked this morning, what a way to start the day :notworthy:
Well done all around! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
I still marvel at the bond a father and son can share! Good on you for raising the young man well, I can tell you did from the hug! Thanks for letting us share the moment with you.
Happy shooting :archer2:
Jimmy, it was great meeting you and Mason. I seen him a few times on the courses shooting and I kept asking if he put that bow down yet. He told me "nope I even slept with it". I am looking forward to future stories of Mason and his Shrew. Your doing a great job bringing him up right. Keep up the good work!! :thumbsup:
Congratulations Mason.. That is one beautiful bow you got there.
Great job Ron, very well done.
Great read and even greater pics. Best of luck to all of you. Memories made for sure.
Very nice! Congrats to all involved.
Oh wow, now that is a "Touch of Class". I met Mason at the big tent Saturday afternoon and he told us about his new Shrew. It was easy to see he was on cloud nine. Now I know why.
Congrats brother that's a beautiful bow. Oh yeah and if you ever sell it we are all going to put a voodoo curse on you so you will never take any more game for the rest of your life. Haha.
Jimmy that's some serious FOY (Father of the Year) points there. Gonna be hard for us Dad's to top that one.
Good shootin'
T.J.
That is AWESOME!!!
It was nice to meet you too, hopefully it is a first of many trips up here. :thumbsup:
Too cool, congradulatons to all of you.
Very cool on everyone's part. Awesome story.
Very Cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awesome! Congrats Jimmy and Mason! :clapper:
Ah yes, a fine addition to the Clan of Shrews. Well done Dad on fathers day weekend. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Thanks to all for the kind words ! Again, we had a awesome trip to Compton. We truly did not realize what we had been missing. I am truly humbled by ya'll ! Fine folks, Fine folks.....
nocams :campfire:
The pics say it all!! Great story!! :thumbsup:
Great story. Congrats to all.
Very very nice.
Thats what its all about. Young or old, you've gotta love it. Thanks for sharing. :eek: :thumbsup:
Nice nice nice! :thumbsup:
Great Dad, a fine young man, a sweet bow, and a wonderful surprise = the best memories in life! Good job to all! :clapper:
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Great moment - thanks for sharing it!
Dad Gum it now I am having trouble seeing. Congratulations Mason.
Good stuff!
Here's Skyler and Mason in March of 2008 when I first met them at the Tennessee Traditional Bowhunters Banquet. Talk about how fast kids grow...
From boys to young men in two short years. You won't meet two finer examples of good parenting IMHO. Rest assured the future of traditional archery is in good hands with young people like these two.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Skyler-Mason08.jpg)
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/skyler-Mason%202.jpg)
Amazing how you pulled it off without him knowing. I love the look on his face.
:clapper: :jumper: :archer2:
There are great people in this sport, and your story shows that.
The pictures say it all. Thanks for sharing.
That is fantastic !!!!!!!!!!!!
I love that first picture with the questioning look on his face. He's a fortunate young man. I should know, I had a Dad like you too.
It is kinda hard to see with the water in my eyes too. Good Job you guys, :thumbsup:
MM
You should see the sparkle in Jimmy`s eyes when he tells the story in person.
Truely a great story...one for a lifetime.
A tip of the hat to everyone involved.
Ron,
Was hoping you would post that before and after picture of Skyler and Mason ! See what beans and taters will do for youngins ! DW and I will have to get second and third jobs if they keep eatin like they are now. Now that they have a reputation for disposing of groceries I guess we will not get invited to share any campfires next year, haha !!!
nocams
:campfire: :campfire:
Don't you worry Jimmy. I'm going elk hunting again - I'll just have to shoot a bigger one this year. We'll find something to feed those boys. Either way, I sure hope you'll be back to sit around the fire again!
Even on page 4 of this thread, that thar is just plain awesome! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
That is awesome. How is the kid shooting with it?
Whip,
instead of a pickle jar for loose change to serve as gas $$$ for Compton, maybe I can start a few 5 gallon buckets for an elk hunt too ???
nocams
The look on his face in the first two pics says it all. Well done guys.
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Great story, thank you for sharing!!!
Now that's what living life is truly about!!!!!
One thing for sure... you won't have to worry about where he is at when he gets old enough to drive and be out on his own;
What a joy to see; thanks so much for sharing; a tip of the camo hat to all.... :campfire:
I gave up on being a good influence on them boys long ago because it usually ends up working the other way around. Fine young men. Proud to call them friends.
When they grow up and become successful leaders, Rob and I will pound our chests and remind everyone of the fine example we set for them during their formative years. :saywhat:
Way to go Pops and Ron.. You guys made a dream come true !
NoCams,
The best gift I ever got as a kid was my first real bow. I remember that feeling as if it were yesterday...
Good job on giving your son a memory to cherish forever.
todd
Great story - made my day.
Bear...... :laughing:
that is awsome.
that is just too stinking kewl.
Thats a moment that kid will remember for the rest of his life. A special kid with a very special dad...PR
:thumbsup:
Blessings for all involved.