I was reluctant to share this on here because I do not want this to be a sad and disturbing story with an unhappy ending, because it isn't. Actually it is just the opposite as I hope you will understand.
I was heading up to Tennessee this past Sunday to take care of some family business, and do some stump shooting around the farm. I was talking with my mother and my aunt on the cell phone only to find out that they had just placed my grandfather on an oxygen mask, and he was not expected to be around more than a couple of weeks at the most. Needless to say my plans immediately changed and I was heading to the nursing home. When I got there he wanted to know about the hunt that I had recently returned from in Canada and wanted to see my new "Horne' bow. I went out to my truck and got my bow as well as another old longbow that I had with me. When I got back to his room I handed him my bow's and it took all of the strength he had to raise his head and look at them. He had a sharpie in his right hand that my aunt had handed him while I was out and he proceeded to attempt to sign his name across my new bow's riser. Not wanting to be rude or disrespectful I asked him to look at the other one as well and he did the same on it. After he completed this he told me that now I can take him along with me in the woods whenever I go hunting.
As I was leaving there not knowing if I would ever see him alive again, it became clear to me that most of his old Cherokee beliefs that I used to shake my head at as a young man had finally hit home. I just thank God that I had the chance to thank him for the way that he raised me and also to let him know that it's not good bye, but we'll see ya later.
Nothing is going to please me more than taking that great Indian man that I called Pop hunting with me everytime I head to the woods.
Good luck to both of you this season.
:thumbsup: I hear ya freind glad you got to have that special time with him . shoot a good one this year with those bows and hope you have many more good times with them for years to come . I lost my grandfathers one before i was born and one when I was about 12 my grandfather that I lost when I was 12 gave me a single barrel 410 that will never be sold as well as the remington 1100 my dad gave me .
You will find that it feels good to have him along, too, Chuck. I have my Dad's old knit cap and a couple of arrows from an old friend, now fitted with blunts, that go with me most every time I hit the woods. Great mojo in that stuff.
I understand completely.
Now you have Medicine,in your bow,as well as your heart and mind.
Thanxx fer sharein.
Very heartwarming. Thanks a bunch for sharing a private moment. Definitely good medicine!
Bless you for sharing that. Yes, Sharpie comes off with alcohol...or with wear in the field. I hope your grandfather travels many happy trails with you, before the name wears off the bows. After that, he will ride in your heart, and keep it young.
My mother was a potter, and made many items of practical daily use. She died in 1983, and I am still using her dishes, bowls and planters. As time goes on, time takes its toll and they chip, crack, break...and for a while that made me sad each time it happened, as if she were getting 'deader'. I have since grown a little, and realize that as these things fade from this world, as she did and I will, her memory is still alive and burning in my heart. I have her teachings, a bit of her handwriting style, and sometimes, her sneeze. She will always be with me, even after the last bowl breaks. So it will be with your bows. Remember well all that your grandfather taught you, and ponder lessons that perhaps you did not know were lessons. You will find yourself understanding them as you grow old. The way a person lives a life is perhaps the greatest lesson of all.
Killdeer :campfire:
A blessing indeed, one of those that can't be bought.Thank you for sharing.
I just invited my wife to read your post , she was as moved as I , thankyou for sharing a heartfelt memory . regards Perry
CJP: You understand what many of us take too long to figure out! You are blessed indeed!
Chuck,
What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing. The memories you will make with those bows will stay with you forever. If we would all just listen to our elders and remember the lessons they teach, we would all be greater for it.
"A HA LANI CHA" ( Till I See You Again) My Brother.
Bless you
Wonderful story. I can really relate to it. My grandfather, Robert Benson, has been fighting bone cancer for almost a decade now. His body is weak and he is always sick or tired. He is the reason I am even involved in the outdorrs and shoot a bow. He always took the time to make sure I had a bow that fit and he would take me hunting with him anytime I wanted....even tho he knew that it would mean my noisy butt was going to keep the deer away. He understood the big picture.
Anyways....earlier this year my grandfather handed down one of his old Bear Takedowns to me. It was the last bow he used to harvest a deer with. Even tho gramps is still keepin up the fight, he can no longer go physiclly "play" (as grandma puts it)in the woods with me and my children. As long as I carry that bow in the woods with me....he is still there. I cherish that bow more than any of the others I have, and I know that you charish yours the same way now. Good luck and may the great spirit shine down on you and yours.
You are fortunate and blessed to have had, and continue to have, this man in your life.
There are worlds within worlds all around us. Listening carefully, one can hear teachings, advice and support from a continuous stream of wise souls. Your grandfather is as close as your own heart.
Blessings
Well, I got the word this morning that Pop has moved on. Thanks everyone for your prayers and understanding of this story.
Killdeer, your response is a real blessing. Thanks for the words of wisdom.
CJ, just read this one...so very, very thankful that you got the chance to say goodbye and very sorry for your loss. I pray you will think of him often, and always smile at those thoughts.
Call me if I can do anything for you....
CJ,
I suspect that at some point in time when you are in the woods this fall you are going to break down and have a good cry over the loss of your grandfather. Don't be afraid of it, don't try to avoid it, just let it happen and then let it turn to tears of joy as you recall the great times ya'll had together in the woods and the great times ya'll will have together again when you depart this world and the two of you are reunited.
Bill