As I grew older my dad and grew further apart. I became a liberal he remained a conservative. He thought college a waist of time, to me it was an important goal to finish college. He wanted me to work the way to the top as he did in his field and I wanted a different life as a professional chef. There were times when all we said was hello while I visited my mother. When I came in town to visit her he would leave. There was a time when we did not speak for years.
One of the many things I've learned in life is that it is far better to put some things behind you and forgive others. So it came time a few months ago I begin to hear that my 84 year old dad was in poor health. So when he called and asked that I move from Aspen, Colorado back to Tennessee to help him, I knew he was very ill. I am the only child and so it was time to honor my father's request.
Two weeks after moving back we bought a 1985 Aries bass boat that had been garage kept so it is like a new boat. And we started bass fishing again. Bass fishing was one of the few things that we did while I was young that we both enjoyed. It is strange but true that as we bass fish we have been able to put things behind us that has kept us apart for so many years. We have been able to talk about things like we never have before. Bass fishing is healing the old wounds that have kept us apart.
It is not how many fish we catch or how large they are. It is about enjoying a father and son relationship that we have not known for years. I'm 62 he is 84 and when we are on the lake fishing it is like watching two kids enjoying life.
The point to the above is that it is far better to find a way to put the past behind us and forgive. For once a love one is gone, well it is too late to say I'm sorry and I forgive you.
Go fishing and enjoy life.
Perhaps some day we can wet a line and catch a fish together: until that day;
May you be at peace with your God, May your heart be filled with love, May a smile always grace your lips
