Just got in from an amazing time in the woods. Ive got to eat, shower, and take care of a few things, then i have a story to tell.
Just a teaser...
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb428/huskyarcher/Wood-6.jpg)
:campfire: :coffee:
:campfire: :coffee:
When i was in High School, i was a tri-sport athelete. From throwing Touchdowns to hitting home runs, i was always there. But my passion was Wrestling. I have done it since i was old enough to do so.
My father took me and my brother all over the country wrestling, with AAU and USA wrestling, there are tournaments virtually every weekend somewhere, we found them.
I took things from my Wrestling career that will i will remember for a lifetime, and i carry things with me as well. I learned the value of perserverence and hard work, i learned the joy of hard fought win, and the agony of a hard fought loss. But some things i will physically take with me forever as well. #1 My right ear is rock hard from colliflower (no clue how to spell that) ear, i will have that forever. #2 My right leg.
In High school i was in Southern Nationals (AAU funtion) and i tore virtually everything in my right knee. Just like that, my wrestling career was pretty much done. Just like that, all i had worked for was about to come crashing down. Or so i thought.
Fast forward to last summer.
My mom finally convinced me it was time to get that knee fixed. (Your knee actually will learn to go without an ACL)
I didnt want too, but i knew it was what i had to do.
Well one surgery turned into two, which faded into three. I ended up having 6 knee surgeries in a month and a half.
I had gotten an inection, a infection that they had never seen before, and had no idea how to fix. I was not only fighting for a normal leg, but my life.
I had lost nearly 40#s and didnt have much left to give. That is where i hit my lowest point, and that is where the real story begins.
Work to do, i will finish the "real story" tonight!
:campfire:
:clapper: Sounds like this is going to be a good story.
Tuned in!!!!
Bisch
:campfire:
:coffee: :coffee: :coffee:
:campfire: :coffee: :coffee: :coffee: :coffee: I'm waiting patiently.
Tuned in to hear the story of triumph.
Chris
I'm listing and couldn't help but notice what looks to be some bubbles on that arrow but really hard to see ..That only means one thing...You let the air out of something :thumbsup:
:campfire:
:coffee: Patience has never been my strong suit. Just sayin'!
Husky,
I love how you tricked us into the awesome squirrel hunt last year!
I'll be tuned in for your story. Glad you are recovering!
Dalton, I'm building some new arrows to try with my new Mohawk, so a good huntin' story right now is perfect, but I have to get up at 3:30 am for work, so don't 'Lamb" us too long! :bigsmyl:
Dalton, Jeff and I drove down to the CTA shoot this morning. It looks like you went to the woods instead.
When i got home from the hospital after that 6th surgery, i was sick as a dog. I felt like i had nothing let to give, and for the first time in my life i felt absolutely helpless.
I HATE that feeling. There was nothing in the world that i could do to fix this.
Then Dad came in one day, handed me 12 Oak, 5/16 dowell rods, and said "this will keep your mind busy". My Dad and I have built these arrows for years, mostly during the winter, and mostly just for fun.
But I had this big dream, i told dad, "Bygosh im gonna do it." "Im going to kill a deer with one of these." Dad chuckled and for the sake of conversation said "id like to see it."
This is panning out to be something really good!
Bisch
Know what you mean. Had 3 acl, miniscus, and mcl repairs on both knees in the last 15 years. It will definately humble and ground you. No cartlidge in the left knee how. Bone on Bone. Doc talks about artifical in the next couple years. I ain't 40 yet! Good luck with the knee, and tell us the story! 8>) God Bless
Well i worked and worked and before long they began to take shape.
I hand straightend all of them first. I ran my hand up and down until the friction heated them, and then acted like i knew what i was doing straitening them.
When i was satisfied with the shafts (5 or 6 of them i believe) I got dad to throw some Minwax on them for me. I was laid up on the recliner so i just anxioulsly watched as he wiped it on.
After that, i shaped some feathers from turkey wings of a bird i killed that spring. Oddly i used the same scissors that were used in one of my operations. You see when you spend a month in the hospital flirting with nurses, and interns, you kinda get favoritism and that leads to cool things like that. :rolleyes: :readit:
What can i say? I was 19, Am i supposed to NOT flirt? Didnt think so. LOL
After the feathers, i then put on some glue on broadheads given to me by several 'Gangers. Thanks again guys!
I got a little stronger and after a few weeks i was walking a little. Which lead to slingin' arrows on the front porch!
Of coarse i had to have some arrow retrievers but you get the idea.
Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago.
My knee still isnt well, actually it hurts alot. I have cartilage floating all around my knee, but i wont go near a hospital again. EVER. Im just going to have to live with it.
I had gotten a new longbow a beautiful Omega made by Kegan McCabe, out of Pennsylvania. She is 43# and to say i am i love with her would be an understatement. I have never felt so deadly with a bow in my life. I think its partly because after my surgery, i shot lightweight bows, and figured out i was overbowed at 60 ad 65#.
And boom! it hit me one day, Son of a gun i can shoot those dowell arrows! I anxiously took one out and proptly 12 ringed my Rinehart target at 12 yds. Then and there i new, IT WAS ON LIKE DONKEY KONG.
I watched "The Bowhunters of Tradgang" and learned the tricks to shapening with a file. Soon i had those gifted heads razor sharp.
Yesterday, i had the day off of class and work, and new that i was going to get to hunt that evening, so i did what any good TG'er would do, and put about 150 arrows through the ol' girl. ANd man was I confident after that session!
I gathered my stuff and headed towards the woods. On the way to the place i was jammin' to the "High Wild and Free" Cd given to me by Mr. Dannybows (My favorite CD BTW)
Quietly i entered the woods, and was pleased to feel the breeze catching me in the face, perfect wind!
I climbed up a white pine about 30 ft to find my Gorilla treestand, and soon my view looked something like this.
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb428/huskyarcher/Wood-10.jpg)
It was really slow at first, But i was still grinning because i was so excited just to get in the woods with these arrows.
About 4:45 rolls around and after almost 3 hrs on stand i have just saw a squriell or two. No big deal, i was still having a good time.
At about 5pm i look up from the book i was reading "Into the High Country" by Pastor Jimmy Sites, and Jason Cruise as i hear i stick break above me.
My insticts told me to put that book away and slowly get stood up, I listened directly.
I watched as a pretty little Button Buck headed my way, and decided that if i got the chance, id take a shot.
But seconds later i heard more deer coming, so i thought id give him a pass. Sure enough a donkey o a doe was right behind him. Target aquired.
She walked right in. At 12 yards she steps clear of some brush and picks up an acorn. I start to draw but realize i need to calm down, and pick a spot.
I slowly hit full draw. With my Dowwell arrow ready for ignition, i whisper, "Father, Son, Holy Ghost" (My way to beat target panic) the string slipped from my fingers, and i watched that arrow, Slow as molasses, hit home directly behind the front leg, and slip all the way through her. With an instant fist pump i grin, as i watch her bound away, gracefully i might add which is odd. I was worried or a split second, until i saw her turn cartwheels in mid stride.
Instantly i was flooded with emotion, which is odd. Im not an emotional person at all, in those 6 surgeries I never once shed a tear. But now i smiled as my eyes watered up. I just bowed my head, i thanked God for all he had done for me, for seeing me through it all, for giving me the strength to make that shot, for making that doe for me to take, for giving me friends like i have on here, for loving me, for saving my soul.
After that those intense moments, i just sat back and reflected. I thought back on all the stuff i went through, I remembered watching my Mom cry as the doctor told me i was going to need another surgery, i remeber the fear as he, told me that this could kill me. I remembered the worry and depression i pushed back as i wrapped layer after layer of sinew on those fletchings, i remembered practicing hour after hour just hoping for what had just happened.
Silly as it may seem those arrows, are a big part of that recovery, and in that moment, nothing was more obvious.
I slipped down out of the tree, No i take that back, i pretty much flew down. I headed towards my prize.
As i got closer i was delighted to find this
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb428/huskyarcher/Wood-7.jpg)
Other side:
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb428/huskyarcher/Wood-11.jpg)
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb428/huskyarcher/Wood-12.jpg)
I called my dad, and he was almost as excited as i was. He couldnt believe it actually happened! and neither cold I!
I got her out of there and rushed home to show him, i was on cloud 9!
This morning he snapped some good hero pics as well.
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb428/huskyarcher/20121201_100641.jpg)
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb428/huskyarcher/20121201_100732.jpg)
So thats my story. How this laid up kid had a dream, and was blessed enough to see it happen.
I must say now that im hooked on these arrows, slow or not, and will more than likely finish the season with them.
I want first to thank God for making all of this possible, and especially you guys. You have no idea what this place means to me. I would have gone crazy in that hospital bed without it, no doubt.
I hope you enjoyed and God bless each and every one of you, i hope you guys have an awesome Christmas, and i hope to spend any years to come around this campfire we call Tradgang.
P.S, I now am the Head Wrestling coach at Ashe County Middle School, and now pursue my passion through my kids. God didnt let all that hard work go to waste.
:campfire:
That is awesome. Very happy for you. It's good to see a young man like you have goals and dreams like that and to fulfill it is great. Congratulations to you!!!!
Awesome!
Absolutely awesome story.. Congrats!!
God usually does not let hard work go to waste!
Congrats to you and great shot. I hope you get your knee somewhat "fixed" and all goes well for you.
Bisch
Congrats !!! Thanks for sharing your awesome story :thumbsup:
Bill
Congrats, perfect shot. Your story is great and an inspiration.
That is absolutely awesome. Thanks so much for sharing your special story, and of course, CONGRATS !
Congrats on the fine animal
Jim
:bigsmyl:
Congratulations on a well earned deer! Thanks for sharing your story.
You are the man Husky!!!! Hope to meet you at a shoot or gathering one day, we are close enough our paths should cross sometime I would think. Good job!
Awesome, congrats!
Mucho cool story! Nothing is wasted with God, even painful situations we go through. Congrats on a great ole nanny! :thumbsup: :clapper:
Awesome story sir! Thanks for posting it up! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Mucho cool story! Nothing is wasted with God, even painful situations we go through. Congrats on a great ole nanny! :thumbsup: :clapper:
Congratulations brother. You got your priorities right. :clapper:
All those pretty nurses and residency docs sure makes a gloomy day look at lot better don't they? :jumper:
God Bless
Great story! Thanks for sharing it with us, and congratulations on a nice doe! :thumbsup:
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Great Stuff. Congrats on a well earned dream~
Congrats on a hard earned doe.
Chris
Great story. And a great shot.
An inspiration to all of us.
Thanks for sharing.
Awesome, powerful story you've shared. Thank you and God bless.
Thanks for sharing.
:notworthy: :notworthy:
Congratulations young man! You have done well and no doubt will continue.
May God continue ot bless you and the kids you work with through wrestling. Good job and well done!
Powerful story and witness, there, young man!
Painful to read thru all you've endured, but that tale made the eyes light up WITH you!
Never say Never...but after your experience, I can surely understand your attitude toward hospitals!
Congrats for persevering and recognizing where the power and Glory is directed!
:bigsmyl:
Great story and pic's and a great job of recognizing Gods help in your life,may he continue to bless in all you do.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Truly inspiring Dalton. Well done! Well told too. :clapper:
How cool is this?.... Way!! ...I'm saying.
Congratulations!
Thank you for sharing.
God bless,Mudd
PS: It's always nice to read when anyone knows where the 1st thanks goes.
Way to go man!! Well done! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
great story bud! and one hell of a shot, you could not have walked up and stuck it in any better!
Man what a great touching story, and giving all Praise to God and giving thanks to your fellow Tradgangers. Congrats on seeing it all through and making it happen. Thanks for sharing it with us all.
Tony
Awesome inspirational story. Thanks for sharing. You gave some hope.
good job. Congrats
ChuckC