This past February found me at the JLMBH. It was a very tough decision to go, due to the loss of my father. He passed away on Feb. 16, and the hunt was a mere few days later.
After sitting with my wife, and family, and talking it over, we decided that my dad would want me to attend. Not only for me, but for the cause in general. My dad always had a soft spot for kids in need, and we felt he would have been more upset if I had stayed home.

Anyway, with everything going on, I almost didn't make it. I found myself pulled over on the side of the road about five miles from the "huntmaster" Shawn's house, choked up and shaking. I said  quick prayer, thought back to my dad teaching me how to shoot a recurve, and smiled. He always managed to hit that damn paper plate I had tacked up on the hay bale as a target, and I never could. I steadied myself, took a deep breath, and continued on.

The hunt was amazing. There were countless hugs, handshakes and deep talks. Homer presented me with one of his father's arrows, and I had to take a few minutes to gain control again.
The kid's hunt was somehow calming. Thinking of these kids, and how their lives were just beginning, and knowing that their father's were doing it right made me smile. I looked forward to the coming years with my boy, and remembered all the wisdom passed to me, that will be passed to him.

Numerous times throughout the hunt, I felt as if my dad was there. Two times that stand out vividly were when I got my bunny, and the very last shots of the JLMBH.


The arrow I took the bunny with is now listed on the ST. JUDES forum. Maybe not a big deal to some, maybe it will be to others. Felt like the right thing to do, and knowing it helps the kids is enough.

I asked Shawn if I could shoot an arrow for my father towards the end of the hunt. He said yes immediately. What followed weakened my knees, and tugged at my heart...





...everyone lined up and shot one for my dad, for me. I have never been so humbled by a group of people. That is the type of people you find on Tradgang. I just wanted to say Thanks to those from the JLMBH for holding me up at such a hard point in my life. Also, thanks to Terry for beginning this site, where I have found so many like me. It truly means so much to me.

Great stuff...  

           

Not often do you find true friends through strangers, but then sometimes you do.

Thank you for sharing.

It's tough to lose a loved one.  I'm glad that you were able to spend time with your friends to ease the pain.

I'm sure your father is proud and I know that I would want my son to keep what I taught him going even through the hardest of times.

Gosh Jamie...i don't know you or your Dad except thru tradgang. The picture of everyone shooting left me speechless and brought a tear to my eyes.  i do know that you did your Father proud!  

Jamie, i didn't know about your dad passing, so sorry to hear, you have my prayers,   Harold

Those pictures and your warm words bring it all to life...

May the Peace that pasess all understanding keep you and bless you in this time. Our time on Earth is but a short blip on the radar.

We will all reunite at another time and place.

I am so very proud of all of you.

What a way to honor a fallen archer/bowhunter and do something great for the kids at the same time.

God bless you folks!


Mudd

I don't know how you made it through that Jamie.  It choked me up just reading about it.  What an incredible tribute to your Dad, and will be a fine lasting memory for you!  He loved it!

Gods peace to you.  A fine tribute.

Many of us love you Jamie... That, my friend is the secret of happiness in life...

mike

You know Jamie, for you if it woulda meant more and if  you asked us we'd have shot all our arrows into the air.For me it went way deeper than I at first realized.Those arrows were for you a son, your father, all fathers, all sons and all friends.I will forever be honored to have been there.Guess I was in the right spot at the right time.Im glad it meant so much to you.

I second the last two posts before mine.

Thank you VERY much for posting this, bud. I should only hope to be honored that way when my time comes!

God bless ya Jamie.You're a good man and give us all something to think about.I'm proud to have been there and got a little choked up myself when we let those arrows fly.

>>>>----------------->>

Todd

It was an Honor to be there My Friend!!!!!  

The truely finest group of folks you will ever find!!!!!!!!!!