As the year comes to a close, I sit here
wondering where this year went.
Christmas was great. Every year my mother
and father have all the kids and grandkids down for 10-12hrs of laughter,
gifts, games and food as far as the eye can see. This year was different. This year, I had a
special gift for my nephew and I couldn’t wait to get back home to present it.
During the day at my parents, we received
5” of light fluffy snow. When we arrived back at my house, my brother and I
cleaned off the driveway while the rest of our family went into the house to
settle the sleeping arrangements. Outside,
I told my brother to leave the driveway - I was excited to get into the house
and give his son my gift.
Weeks before Christmas, I called my brother
and asked him if it was OK to get his son a bow. His son has been shooting the
junior archery bow, but he’s been growing like crazy. With my brother’s
approval, I was all set to get the new bow. The next day I returned to work and found my
nephew’s next bow waiting.
(Story Continues Below)
(Alex King with a Wisconsin doe taken with his "old bow")
Back to the driveway…my brother and I
walked into the living room, and it was nearly perfect. My nephew was sitting
in the chair next to the Christmas tree. I said to him, “I’ll be right back, I
want to show you my new bow for next year.”
I came downstairs with 2 bows in my bow case. I gave him one of the bows
and said, “What do you think?” He said, “Really nice bow”. That’s when I looked at him and said, “Merry
Christmas”. To this day, I can still see
the look on his face, it was priceless.
Finally, he said “No way!” Once again, I
said “Merry Christmas”. We both stood up, shook hands, and hugged. He even gave
his uncle a kiss on the cheek! As I
looked around the room that night, there were smiles on everyone’s face and
maybe even a tear or two. This is one
Christmas I’ll never forget!
(Story Continues Below)
(Left: Alex King & Wayne King show off the new bow)
To be sure, it’s not the bow I’m writing
about. The “gift” is family. I believe without family and friends we have
nothing. And when I’m old and can’t walk out opening morning of hunting season,
this is a memory I’ll be smiling about. I was able to do something for my
nephew, and he gave me a life-lasting memory.
As always - shoot straight and shoot often.
-Wayne