We all have our "thing". For some people it's shopping. For others, it's gambling, or alcohol, or newborn babies, or any other number of things. It's that thing you live for. The one thing that, no matter how bad things are going, will lift you up. Make you whole. For me, that one thing is waterfowling. Now, don't get me wrong. I love hunting and the outdoors. But there is just something about waterfowling that makes me whole. I would even venture to say that it borders on a religious experience.
And nothing has driven that thought home any farther than this week. If you have read my previous blog, you know that I had a mishap with a deer blind and broke my leg. So here I sit. First two days of early goose season. I should be in a blind with good friends. But I am not. And, from what they and their pictures tell me, this is the beginning of an awesome season. Mike and his group have put down more that 30 birds in the last 34 hours, one of them with a band. Now, I don't want this to sounds like I am angry. I find some comfort in knowing that they are out enjoying the sport that I love so much. But I can't help but to be jealous.
In the last 48 hours, I have felt a void that I have not felt in years, not since I started hunting. I guess it is true about what they say about "not knowing what you have until it is gone". And it's not even gone. It has simply been delayed. I know that the cast will be off by firearm deer season, so I will have some regular season waterfowling to do. And if my cast "modification" idea works, I might even be able to be in field by mid next week. But that is still a week away. A week of a two week season.
To pass the time, I have tried to read up on decoy spreads, shooting tips, and any other information I can bring up on my computer screen. If I can gain more knowledge about the sport that I am missing, the I will be all the better when I recover. But I still find my mind drifting to despair. I know you probably think this sounds like a little kid throwing a tantrum. And you would be right. That's what I feel like. Our adult lives are based on what we can control. Your entire being revolves around what you make happen, be it the littlest detail or a life altering decision. And while it was my bonehead move that put me into this predicament, I fell as if I have lost all control. Like maybe there is something I am missing. Something I can be doing to make this better. But in the end I know that I just have to be patient. When this is all said and done, there will be more seasons. This is not the end, but it sure does feel like it.
6 comments:
Hang in there buddy!! You'll make it through.
I gotta tell ya...that is some great writing...I could truly feel your emotions. Keep it up...
I know what you mean. I have had to miss the opening day of gun season for deer a few years back because of work. Up until that point I had never missed an opening day. There was definitely a void that I couldn't fill even though I did get out the 3rd day it isn't the same as opening day. I can honestly say that my mind was defintely not on work that day and they would have been better off to let me just go hunting.
Thanks guys. I know we are supposed to be writing about our hunting activities, but this has been on my mind a lot and I needed to write about it to try to get out of my funk. Even my wife was starting to worry about how depressed I was getting. Writing this defiantly helped.
Hey it will get better. It was good that you were able to get out with us and at least film. That was the most birds you probably ever shot. With a camera of course. It was fun haveing you out there. Definately better than you being home on the computer. Look forward to the next time. Get well.
I am so sorry to hear of your misfortune...although I know it well. I turkey hunted this past season with an air cast on my left foot. You will be back out there before you know it. Can't wait to read about your adventures.
Keep your eye to the sky and give me a shout when they are in. I'll drag you into the boat blind, and hopefully we can get on em!
Post a Comment