I consider myself to be very lucky to be born into a family that loves and cares for me. I had a Mother and Father who did their very best to raise me to be a decent and productive adult. I was taught to value discipline, respect and integrity at a very early age. This has benefited me greatly over many years now.
I was lucky to have a Dad that took the time to take me hunting and fishing. He instilled a lasting love and respect for firearms in me. He taught me to shoot while I was still unable to hold the gun by myself. I will never forget how he managed to aim and hit a little frog in a pond while I clumsily pulled the trigger on a little .22 rifle. I will never forget the amazing biology lesson that followed, using the frog that we just shot.
Dad took me on my first dove hunt and let me use that single shot .410 with the sneaky safety catch. He witnessed the "wild boar" on my first deer hunt. He was in the stand with me when I took my first deer. He cooked jalapeno pinto beans and Dinty Moore beef stew in a West Texas deer camp that left us longing for an indoor toilet and some ice cubes,
Dad and I have been going to gun shows together ever since I was tall enough to see over the tables. We share a love for firearms that are useful and utilitarian but with clean, classic lines that please the eye. I don't think that either one of use has ever owned an engraved firearm. We prefer function over fashion.
When I recently celebrated a birthday Dad presented me with this beautiful, classic revolver. It is a stainless steel Smith and Wesson 24-3 in .44 special. I believe that it is the prettiest revolver I have ever laid eyes on.
As I ponder on raising my own sons I am reminded that a good gift like this is pretty nice, but the time spent with my Dad and the relationship that we have is what makes it so special.
So today I took my older son down to the creek. What could be better than water, a good dog,plenty of rocks and a small boy to throw them for the dog to chase. Ahhhhh happiness for all involved.
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5 comments:
This post almost made me cry. Your stories about your dad nearly mirror my own. Sadly, Dad passed away last September 11. Not a day goes by where I don't miss him. But I treasure those memories.
You are very lucky. Enjoy those moments with your son. And tell your father you love him. It is the one thing I'm forever thankful that I did before my dad died.
THAT was truly heartwarming. Wish my D.O.D. was still around, and out here for me to take to the field.
As the above, enjoy what time you have. Both with your father, and your son.
"the time spent with my Dad and the relationship that we have is what makes it so special."
Indeed!
That is beautiful.
Oh, and a darn nice pistol, too;)
I'm lucky to still have my father in my life, too, even if he lives about 750 miles away.
tweaker
Beautiful story, beautiful pistols. I never had a son, but I have a strong daughter, who herself is learning to shoot, as did my Mom before us.
Things come full circle, and in a good way.
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