stephen
12-20-2007, 08:09 PM
Another year has sped on by us, and we are about to celebrate Christmas and New Years.
It has been a wonderful year. Yes, there have been many ups and downs, but I feel blessed to have spent all this time with all of you, my friends, my family.
It is my hope and prayer, that you will all be blessed as we close out this year. That you all will be kept safe, enjoy being with those you love, and reflect on the blessings that have been bestowed upon us all.
Many of you know that my father passed away this year. I have had some ask out of love and concern as to how I am doing. And my answer has been, I feel blessed! I am flooded with all of the fond and special memories of my Dad, and there is no sadness involved.
Two days ago, there was a light rain falling, and it reminded me of a hunting trip we had. It had been lightly raining all day long as we were out hunting for deer. We were several hours into the hunt, and had come up empty. But as we continued to track, we came across a meadow, and there in the meadow about a hundred yards away, were a mama black bear and her two cubs just frolicking an playing in the rain. All three were big and fat, and probably ready to go off into hibernation. My dad and I were sure they knew we were there, but we were a respectable distance.
We sat and watched them for at least 20 minutes, playing and having a grand old time together. One of the little cubs did the ole "warning charge" towards us: For those that dont know, black bears tend to "inform you" that you are encroaching their territory by charging towards you at full speed, but they only go about half way towards you, stop, stare at you, then slowly, and stiff leggedly walk back from where they started their charge.
After a few more minutes, mama and cubs slowly turned back into the forest, and slowly disappeared. Both my Dad and I felt honored and humbled to set there and watch this all. I was so blessed to just be with my Dad, and to have a once in a lifetime experience like that with him, how awesome is that!
Yeah, I miss my Dad, but I am at ease in this, and I know that one day, he and I will walk the forest again, but this time, Gods Presence will be raining down on us, and it will be more awesome than can be imagined.
So, Merry Christmas, have a safe and happy New Year. I love you all, and I am so happy that you, my friends, are my family.
It has been a wonderful year. Yes, there have been many ups and downs, but I feel blessed to have spent all this time with all of you, my friends, my family.
It is my hope and prayer, that you will all be blessed as we close out this year. That you all will be kept safe, enjoy being with those you love, and reflect on the blessings that have been bestowed upon us all.
Many of you know that my father passed away this year. I have had some ask out of love and concern as to how I am doing. And my answer has been, I feel blessed! I am flooded with all of the fond and special memories of my Dad, and there is no sadness involved.
Two days ago, there was a light rain falling, and it reminded me of a hunting trip we had. It had been lightly raining all day long as we were out hunting for deer. We were several hours into the hunt, and had come up empty. But as we continued to track, we came across a meadow, and there in the meadow about a hundred yards away, were a mama black bear and her two cubs just frolicking an playing in the rain. All three were big and fat, and probably ready to go off into hibernation. My dad and I were sure they knew we were there, but we were a respectable distance.
We sat and watched them for at least 20 minutes, playing and having a grand old time together. One of the little cubs did the ole "warning charge" towards us: For those that dont know, black bears tend to "inform you" that you are encroaching their territory by charging towards you at full speed, but they only go about half way towards you, stop, stare at you, then slowly, and stiff leggedly walk back from where they started their charge.
After a few more minutes, mama and cubs slowly turned back into the forest, and slowly disappeared. Both my Dad and I felt honored and humbled to set there and watch this all. I was so blessed to just be with my Dad, and to have a once in a lifetime experience like that with him, how awesome is that!
Yeah, I miss my Dad, but I am at ease in this, and I know that one day, he and I will walk the forest again, but this time, Gods Presence will be raining down on us, and it will be more awesome than can be imagined.
So, Merry Christmas, have a safe and happy New Year. I love you all, and I am so happy that you, my friends, are my family.