|
| When you can't take it anymore..... |
|
| |
Well, not just me, but anyone. Have you ever had one of those days when you just can't take it and the end of the day can't get here quick enough? I had blogged before about how stressed out we are even though we have the same amount of hours in a day and days in a week as our parents and grandparents. My dad always seemed to have time for me when I was growing up. We would play catch, go for a walk, or if I was really lucky, go fishing. Now I love to trout fish. No offense to you bass fishermen, but sitting in a small boat all day holds no allure to me. Getting out in a stream or river and moving up and down the pools and eddys, seeing a different view of the water everchanging is what I love. There are few things I love to do more than fish. One is to read. Adam Bradberry and I think along those lines. We have read some of the same books. He likes to cook. I like to eat.....
But.... there is one thing that I love to do more than any of these. It is a passion and takes up a lot of my reading time. I can do it by myself or with someone. I buy a lot of things to make me better at it, and I even joined a club to do it. I just love to hunt!!
What did you think I was talking about?
Hunting is what I like to do when I just can't take it anymore. It gets me away from the phone. Away from the distractions. And yes, sometimes away from my wife and kids. Let's be honest here, don't tell me you just want to get away from YOUR family from time to time???? But, hunting is my therapy for those days when the stress level climbs above my load limit.
I go into the woods and fields and find a quiet spot to stand where I think I might see whatever it is I'm hunting. Mornings are especially good. Seeing the world wake up from its nightly slumber, as the birds and animals begin their day, and the world comes alive, there is just something about it that is cathartic. I always seem to be more relaxed and focused after my time in the woods.
Now, I have written before about taking Allen hunting, and I want to continue on with that thought now. Allen and I have been three times so far this hunting season. He is growing up so fast, and I can see how he has matured over the past year. Saturday morning was a cold day. It was 11 degrees when we got to where we park the Blazer. With a slight wind it was rather bitter. We eased up the ridge and over the powerline to our stand. The leaves crunched underfoot and the steam from our breath betrayed the wind currents as we took up our position looking over the three "hollers" and ridges that met below us. After the woods had quieted from our approach, a small titmouse flew into a bush to our right. He hopped to the end of the branch and looked sideways at us, not quite sure what to think. Across the powerline in an oak, a downy woodpecker began his morning breakfast search as he "pock-pock-pock"ed up and down the old oak. A couple squirrels jumped from tree to tree on their way somewhere down the ridge. The sun came up and Allen marvelled as the frost gave up and became the light mist that rose from the leaves on the forest floor.
Well, after about 3 hours, we had not had the good fortune to see any deer. It was still 14 degrees, and moving after being still for so long was hard. But move we did. We decided to take a roundabout path to the Blazer and see if we could jump something up. But it was not to be. We arrived at the Blazer and I unloaded the Model 710 and Allen put our packs in the back seat. We took a last look up the ridge before we got in. Suddenly, Allen walked quickly around the Blazer, wrapped his 12 year old arms around be, and gave me a big hug. He looked up and said, "Thanks for taking me hunting, Dad", then walked around and got in the front seat.
And you know what? I found something better than hunting.
What does that mean to you? The hunting part, maybe not a thing. But when you just can't take it anymore, spend some quality time with your kids, and I mean more than 30 minutes. Take your kids to the park, go for a hike, or play a game. Terry and I try to take Allen and Abby to do something at least once a week. Something that requires us to spend time together. Oh, they complain when we tell them no Gameboys or DVD players, but after a bit, they are quickly forgotten.
God has a special purpose for families. They give us a reason to provide, a reason to go on. A co-worker kept a picture of his kids taped to his computer monitor at work. He said that was his reminder from God why he got up and came to work that day.
What's your reminder? |
|
| To add a comment to "When you can't take it anymore....." |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| November 27, 2007 |
 |
|
|
Great blog Joe....I'm glad you got some time with your son...they grow up too fast...
and so do we:) God Bless |
|
|
| November 27, 2007 |
|
|
|
| A great blog! I love to hear about families "just being" families...taking time to know each other. Children will remember the time spent with them...not the newest toy or the fastest game...Even though my boys are 33 and almost 30...I still enjoy spending time with them. It's not an age thing....I love it....and now I get to spend time with my grandchildren...wow....it keeps going and going on down the line... |
|
|
| November 29, 2007 |
|
|
|
Loved this blog! And yes I like to get away from my family sometimes! Mostly because I like lots of time to be alone and quiet!
Dakota and I (sometimes Marley) have been playing Monopoly since he was 4, and it really helps me forget about worries and problems. Also, he can add really good thanks to those 2 dice!!!!! :)
Every night I since they were babies I have read books at bedtime....I love it and they love it!!!! And sometimes they let their Daddy read, but mostly it has to be good 'ole Mommy!!!
I'm sure Allen and Abby will appreciate the times you and Terry set apart to do something together. :) |
|
|
| November 30, 2007 |
|
|
|
Great blog Joe, we all need that reminder to spend time with out children
127:3 See, sons are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the body is his reward. 127:4 Like arrows in the hand of a man of war, are the children of the young. |
|
|
Follow this blog
