11/15/2025
Okay.. There are a lot of good memories, and happiness all bottled up into this one photo of me.. shining through the loss, and hurt. I had to take it.
1. My hunter's orange is all my dad's old clothes. He passed in 2014. Our family is very close, and the deer hunt would be the 2nd biggest thing we all did and do together, next to Christmas celebrations. I really like that since he can't be here hunting with me anymore, I can at least think of him in amongst the business of my life with kids. I sit in the bush, remembering him when I have some quiet space to myself, with my thoughts.
2. The 30 30 Wi******er rifle I'm holding is my rifle that I inherited from my dad's gun collection. It is an old 1967 Canadian Cenntenial collector. My cousin has the pair to this gun that she inherited from her dad/my uncle earlier this year. I found out that our great uncle came across them from some guy who found them in the rafters of an old barn during his family member's estate sale.. pretty neat history.
3. My great uncle (mentioned above) doesn't hunt with us anymore. This year is (sadly) the first year that we have hunted without the generation above us.. but (we are honoured) we have been getting our kids out.. my nieces, my nephews, and my daughter and son (Easton is a baby, but he still came out!). The spot I am standing at in this photo was my great Uncle's hunting watch..
4. The sweater I'm wearing was my Nana's. About 3 months ago, we transitioned her into a beautiful senior home to get the living help that she needs, and certainly deserves. When we were helping pack her clothes up for her move, my SIL found 2 matching sweaters. My Nana told us that she bought them for her and my late Papa's 1st Anniversary.. that would have been about 65 years ago.. and they're in great shape. Also, a side note, Nana and Papa played a huge part in mine and my brothers' upbringing.. We were with them pretty much every day, whether it was for the day, or after school. Most of the things I do came from teachings from my Nana..
5. A fire? Because.. why not? 🔥
If you hang in there and wait patiently.. Life is good. 🫶🏽
