The Next Great Wilderness Explorer ... Elijah Samuel

**preachtheWORD** · 06-11-2010, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Rick

Okay, from left to right we have a bridge builder, a preacher, a loafer (for now), and what does that smart lookin' guy on the right do? (he ain't sayin' much and it looks like he has a big stick. Pretty smart in my book.)

Grandpa was an elementary school janitor for most of his career, and loved it. He grew up during the Depression (people were already poor here, and used to doing for themselves.) He was the oldest son, and his father often had to travel far and wide to find work, so he was the man of the house.

Before his eyesight went he was an incredible shot. As a boy his mother would give him two 20 gauge shotgun shells and tell him he had better bring back at least 2 squirrels - preferrably 3. And he would.

Back when he could still hunt, he would never let a deer walk - buck, doe, or even Bambi with spots on his back and milk on his chin. I have known Grampa to to take home a 4" creek chub and fry it up. The many hates to waste or throw away anything - a trait that I inherited.

If you shot a deer and it was still kicking when you got to it, Grandpa wouldn't let you shoot it again - that would waste a bullet. One time when were kids we took a friend with us hunting - he was 12 or 13. He shot a deer through the hindquarters (that's all he saw of it). Instead of letting him shoot it again, Grandpa bashed it in the head with a rock repeated! (My brother says he was scarred for life.)

Grandpa is a tough, but tender old timer. When he was in his 50's, he could outrun all the kids on the playground and outwalk all the young bucks coon hunting. It is hard to see him so decrepit when I remember the days when he was Superman.

Most of what I know about the outdoors, I learned from my Dad. But most of what Dad knows, he learned from Grandpa. I hope Elijah is not just the fourth generation, but grows up to love the outdoors like his forefathers.

**kyratshooter** · 06-11-2010, 11:29 AM

He sure is alert and bright eyed for a newborn. Looks like a month old kid right now.

Looks like you have some good backup there. I hope the women folk were clustered around the new mom too.

Supportive families can make raising kids a joy.

I'll never forget the first time my DIL called the house with the only grandson running a fever she could not bring down. My wife was in that car and on her way before the echo of the ringer died! 2am, she didn't care, Jack was sick! Time to be Granma. 'Course I was not going to let her go alone at 2am. You got to take care of your kin.

Granpa has some plans for that kid too. I can see it in his eyes. I predict fishing trips in the next few years.

Congratulations.

And may I say I am proud to be associated with stable young men like you, a supportive Christian father that will be there when the chips are down, even if i is only through the wires of cyberspace.

**Rick** · 06-11-2010, 11:55 AM

Thanks for sharing the info on your grandfather. We would not be here but for them. Their lives are no less interesting than ours and sometimes much more so.