A Father’s Love For His Kids

He worked hard to keep a roof over my head.  He bought my books and sent me to school.  He took me hunting and fishing every chance he had.  He believed in the adage “Take your kids hunting and you won’t be hunting your kids.”  That was years ago and now it’s my turn.

We may be talking about dad, but we could be talking about anyone who has mentored and provided us with an opportunity to enjoy hunting and other outdoor pursuits. There are plenty of granddads and moms who have introduced youngsters to hunting, but most children begin to hunt under the guidance of their father. We owe our Fathers everything for that. Hunting with your dad keeps you involved in each others lives and allows you to spend quality time together. Life is way too short to let that opportunity pass.

Take in all the joy and reverence of the moment. It may be a fleeting moment in time for both of you but you can be sure it will be a moment not soon forgotten by either. Sharing it is a rare gift of life not to be taken lightly. Taking dad hunting is an opportunity that will not always be there. The more you take advantage of those opportunities the more stories you will be able to share with your kids when they come to you years from now and say “Hey dad, let’s go hunting.

Savor the time you spend hunting with your Father. You will never get to go back and re-live those days, and there will come a time when they are gone forever, with a finality that will stun you and break your heart, no matter how many warning signs you had.

If you have a father like mine, hug your daddy. Tell him you love him. Help him no matter what, without begrudging the time and effort it takes. Help him drag his deer, and let him kick back and tell how he got it while you shuck that critter out for him. And enjoy every last second of it, as best you can. Because before you know it, it’s over. Done. A thing of the past. And suddenly, there is no “next season”.