prayers needed

[shotsofwhisky]

Well guys now it is my turn... We lost Grandpa last night. Papa made his statement true that he would never leave his little spread of land unless he was on a stretcher. Well Monday night we lost a great sportsman and all around outdoorsman... from the late forties through the early part of the new century he spent every bit of time he could in the outdoors and teaching his kids and grandkids everything he knew about huntin, fishin, and just being a steward to the land we all use.

More than anything this is a tribute to him the prayers are for us. Similar to the song by Toby Keith "cryin for me" we all know he is better off and that the pain is felt by us not him anymore.

For me personally he stepped up to take the place of his son that walked out on me when I was two, He taught me everything I still use today in life and the woods. He taught one son to hunt and then reassured him it wasnt for everyone when his son looked in the big brown eyes of a buck and felt that he couldnt pull the trigger.

He spent hours upon hours teaching me to shoot and taking me to shoot competitively, he laughed as I shot the snap dragons off the stems with a BB gun while Grandma yelled lol. He took his only grandson on more trips huntin, fishin, or just driving through the woods then I could ever count. He taught me more then anything how to be a man. He grinned in pride as he watched me graduate from High School, and when he walked into the house I bought thinking this kid has it figured out. He poured me drinks after I turned 21. He taught me gun safety and the importance of leaving the woods cleaner than I foound them. He taught me that quit wasnt a word that we accepted.

He shared stories of shooting mountain goat, deer, elk, and bobcat. Stories of his father in law jumping multiple times to the sound of a cougar yell. Stories of how good he could shoot before I came along.

As I walked through his house and shop tonight I could swear I saw him around the next corner or behind the model T that I helped him rebuild, but, sure enough he wasnt there. Its a shock, he told us all he felt better the last few days then he has in months. But, that didnt matter to the man upstairs. It was his time a long time ago but he wasnt ready he had to double and triple check that we were ok before he could leave us.

When I rolled my bronco he was the first to say "get back in the woods, drive past the hill you rolled down and smile because you beat it."

He lost his first wiife to cancer and lost it all to care for her. Then when his second wife had a stroke, he gave it all away again to give her the best help and care he could. When we sat in the same room his first wife passed in he shook his head saying its not fair, but that didnt change a thing.

I couldnt ask for a better role model then him. Tonight I sat in "my chair" the same chair I would snore from to combat his snorin from his recliner, I kept thinking I will blink and this will all be a dream. I did everything I could so that when this day came I could smile and say I have no regrets I was the son My dad wasnt. If I could pass anything to anyone it would be that little piece of wisdom. NO REGRETS.

So as I sit here tonight drinking "his drink" and a few more, I think CHEERS TO YOU PAPA! There is more than one of us that wouldnt be who we are without you. I wouldnt have the work ethic I have and without his support I never could have put in the 86 hour work weeks that got me though rough times. RIP Papa 06/29/29-04/04/11 Its been a ride he couldnt be more proud of...

[gasman]

Prayers sent your way and may god bless you and family   

[rasbo]

sounds like a real straight up man,hope you find peace in the memories of him.

[KillBilly]

Sorry for your loss Pete. Surely he rests in peace and looks down upon you with Pride. Our prayers are with you and yours.

Al

[Titan-1]

Wow, sounds like you were blessed to have such a great grandpa. Prayers sent to you and your family, I'm sorry for your loss.

[shotsofwhisky]

Thanks to everyone...

[HntnFsh]

Prayers to you and your family.Sorry to hear of your loss.

[Skyvalhunter]

Sorry for your loss but know he will be keeping an eye out for you.

[Ghost Hunter]

Thoughts are with you and your family.  You were given a gift that will always be with you.    I feel honored to share a birthday with a great man. 

[shotsofwhisky]

and I missed it by three days, can we trade? lol Im 7/1... I was three weeks early but didnt quite make it on time to share with him.

[skier2480]

Sorry for your loss. Prayers sent.

[Jerbear]

Sounds like the man accomplished what he set out to do.  He is not going to be around the next corner.  He is not going to be by the Model T.  Sounds like if you want to see him, just look in the mirror.

[shoot-em-dead]

prayers sent for you and your family.

[RAMSFAN]

My prayers are with you brother, sounds like he was one of "the good ones," Take care.

[Dustin07]

Your Gramps sounds like a real inspiration, thanks for sharing. The story made my eyes water-

wish the best to you-