Articles
Hunting With The Grandkids
For the past several years at Thanksgiving we have all met at my daughter’s home in Abilene. My son and son-in-law have a deer lease about an hour from Abilene. My son and his family come out the week of Thanksgiving to hunt. We all meet and eat our Thanksgiving meal together and enjoy each other’s company. My son-in-law usually entertains us.
Following our time to visit, my son and his family usually return to the lease for the night. If my son-in-law’s schedule permits, he will usually go out with his three oldest children. I usually follow them out. The next morning, those who hunt get up early to head out to their respective deer blinds. Usually it is my son and his three oldest boys, my son-in-law and his three oldest children and then there is me, Grandad. I don’t hunt. When I was younger and lived in Del Rio I tried. I don’t do it very well. So I usually go out with one of the boys and sit in the deer blind with him. At times there will be three of us in one deer blind, like this year.
This year, as I sat with two of my grandsons, waiting for the sun to come up and begin in earnest waiting for the deer to come to the feeder, I began to reflect a little bit. Our oldest grandson is now in his first year of college at Texas A&M. His next brother is a junior. It will not be long before several of them are in college at the same time.
So, as I sat there with the two boys I thought of these few things. One, how blessed I was to be with them. How fortunate I was to be able to do this each year with my grandchildren, son, and son-in-law. It is a rich experience for me. I love being with them. I love watching them enjoy the hunt. I am so thrilled when they find that one deer that makes the hunt worthwhile. I love watching them. They are great deer hunters.
Next, I thought about the joy of being outside watching the sun come up. Watching the day wake up. Watching the scenery come to life. Watching the deer begin to move. You cannot watch the sun come up and the day awake and not believe in God. It is a special experience. As I sat there, I just marveled at God’s creation.
Then I enjoyed the serenity of the moment. There I was with two of my grandsons, watching the day awake, and it was quiet and easy to meditate. I looked at them and marveled at how they are growing and the kind of young boys they are. I looked up and saw creation. It gives a valuable perspective that busy life in the city does not permit. It clears the mind. Erases all the clutter. Refreshes the spirit. Renews the heart. Invigorates the mind. And warms the heart.
I don’t hunt, but I sure enjoy watching them hunt. I always leave feeling a little lighter and less tense. And, for a few days, clear of all the cares of the world and job.
Rickie
