OUTDOOR TRUTHS

Whether it's fishing or hunting, the goal this time of year is making every moment count. One hour can make a difference between landing a five pound largemouth or putting a boss gobbler on the ground.    I can remember a few years ago turkey hunting nearly every single morning. I might have only gone for an hour, but I went almost every day. I can also remember many of those mornings wanting to just roll over and stay in bed, but somehow I rolled off the bed instead, grabbed my gun and cup of coffee, and went out the door in a daze. I killed more turkeys that year, than any other year since. I know why. I made every hour - every moment, count.

I can also remember when my children were young. Then I had to choose between an evening hunting and my son or daughter's basketball games. I hope you know which one I chose. Even though I loved to hunt and fish, I needed to make every moment count for my children. It may have been only an hour or even a moment, but it mattered. I can remember traveling for several hours to see my son play a one hour basketball game and then turning around a driving several hours again, back home. I wished that I could say that I was the perfect father, but my wife and children would say different. I did, however, try to make these special moments count.

I met a young man at an event I spoke at a few weeks ago. He was only twelve. He loved to hunt and fish with his dad. A few days after that event, I received a phone call that his dad had suddenly passed away. I was so glad to know that he had some special moments with his son - moments that counted. This boy will grow up with a lump in his throat and a hole in his heart, but his mind will be filled with special days that he and his dad shared. I'm so thankful that this dad was an example in his Christian life and in his love for the outdoors. If this young man follows this example, his father will have succeeded in his role, even though he left us way too early. I hope you are making every moment count with your children.

Gary Miller

gary@outdoortruths.org