Dear Self,

As you're gazing through the scope this hunting season, remember what it took to get you here.

Growing up in a hunting family meant a good amount of time was spent riding in my dad's truck, round after round was shot at the shooting range until I improved, and hunter's safety was expected to be passed before I was even old enough to take my driving test. The logistics of learning to hunt seemed easy enough at the time. You learned to shoot, you worked up just enough muscle to tote around a measly .243, you field dressed your first deer, and then you hauled said deer uphill for what seemed like a thousand miles. Simple.

Turns out that it wasn't quite that simple, for you, maybe, but not for your parents. As a child it isn't clear as to just how much effort was put into your hunting skills. Your parents didn't hesitate to drive you to your archery lessons and competitions on the weekends. They didn't stop to complain about how long it took to teach you to clean a gun. It wasn't an issue when they saw your scrawny, 12-year-old arms try to steady a gun for a standing shot. They were the ones who supported you every step of the way. They bought you your first bow, gifted you your first gun, provided a shooting stick for your your wobbly, first shot, and proudly acted as photographer for your first deer. As your tiny little legs struggled to keep up with your dad on the trail, his were dragging on purpose, just to give you the chance to catch up because he wanted you right there with him. Over the years, the time and effort that your parents put into you, started to pay off. You became a hunting partner, not just a kid complaining about their nose and toes being cold in the early hours of the morning. Your opinion started to matter, you got to make the call on how far of a shot you could make, and you were given every chance to make your parents proud out there in the woods, or the field.

Aside from the many archery trophies and mounts on the wall, you've collected things that far exceed the value of any "man cave" decoration. Somewhere between the patches of sage that you spent glassing and the miles you covered over the years, you picked up on a few less tangible valuables. You realized the significant amount of confidence that your dad has in you, he believes in you, and will forever be your biggest supporter. How do you know that? You know because he let you take the first shot at a deer that he wanted for himself. You learned how much he loves you. What would lead you to believe that? Well, he knelt in a cactus and held his stance as still as can be while you took your shot off of his shooting stick. You witnessed first hand that he knew how far to push you to build up your character. He was the one that made you learn to field dress a deer, quarter and pack out an elk, and skin a nearly frozen solid deer in a blistering cold shed. He did all of those things out of love for you and for the sport that you two are able to share. Hunting has taught you the value of hard work, perseverance, discipline, ethics, and patience more thoroughly than anything else ever could.

Again, as you hike through the hills and get a monster animal in the crosshairs of your scope, remember the effort that it took to get you there, and the outstanding amount of commitment and love on your parent's behalf. God will never give you a better hunting partner than your dad, so be sure to truly appreciate and soak up every moment of your hunting seasons together because you never know what next season will bring. Whatever it is, it's going to be good.

Love,

Me