Midlife Crisis

[Red Sparky]

Turning 50 I realize my birthday is not about me but my parents. They took the family camping, fishing, wood gathering, sightseeing, and showed me the great outdoors. They made me connect with the land. I was raised in The Church of Christ but as I grew older I realized where my religion was.

The vast mountains and plains, the sunrise and sunset, the moon and the stars,.....this was and is my church. The sound of the wind through the trees, the call of geese migrating, the yipping of coyotes, the scream of a bull elk, and all the other sounds in nature are my hymns. This is where I recharge my soul.

The one thing that meant the most was me was hunting. My mother supported it and this is where I bonded the best with my father. Hunting is a very personal decision. Until you participate you will never understand the connection between you and the animal you hunt. When I go to the grocery store I am so distant from the animal that gave it's life for my food, I feel nothing.

I am very fortunate to still have both my parents alive but they are 75 and my dad is in failing health. I went out and got my first tattoo today that is very sentimental to me. I call it "First and Last". It is the first bull I killed with my muzzle loader, and the last hunt my father ever went with me on. I remember all the hunts I went with my father on, this seemed appropriate to carry on my body for the rest of my life.

 

Here are the photos I gave the tattoo artist.

 

 

 

Here is what I got and I am extremely happy about it.

 

 

 

[Coach]

I think we all reach a strange point in our lives, mid 40's. Still worrying about our now grown kids, also worrying about our aging parents. It's like we are always care-takers, but there's nothing left for ourselves.

 

Time-wise, financially, emotionally - I really get why it's common to feel the "burn out" right about now. Personally, I see those older and they look miserable. The younger generation is mostly lost somewhere between social media, opiates,meth, alcohol & pot.

 

I hope you find peace - and it sounds like you are looking in the right places. An awesome sunrise over a lake, the sounds of geese flying over, the deep blue of the sky in the mountains, a distant bugle as the aspens turn gold, that crisp air as summer turns to fall, the crackle of a warm fire.

 

Take pleasure in life's little rewards. Be grateful for every minute, and take time to make those you love feel loved. Best wishes to you.

[elkaholic]

if you want to be a tad more accurate ---- able to hunt

[azruger]

Awesome write up and tattoo. The great outdoors is where my soul feels free and charged also.

[goinhuntn]

Turning 50 I realize my birthday is not about me but my parents. They took the family camping, fishing, wood gathering, sightseeing, and showed me the great outdoors. They made me connect with the land. I was raised in The Church of Christ but as I grew older I realized where my religion was.

The vast mountains and plains, the sunrise and sunset, the moon and the stars,.....this was and is my church. The sound of the wind through the trees, the call of geese migrating, the yipping of coyotes, the scream of a bull elk, and all the other sounds in nature are my hymns. This is where I recharge my soul.

The one thing that meant the most was me was hunting. My mother supported it and this is where I bonded the best with my father. Hunting is a very personal decision. Until you participate you will never understand the connection between you and the animal you hunt. When I go to the grocery store I am so distant from the animal that gave it's life for my food, I feel nothing.

I am very fortunate to still have both my parents alive but they are 75 and my dad is in failing health. I went out and got my first tattoo today that is very sentimental to me. I call it "First and Last". It is the first bull I killed with my muzzle loader, and the last hunt my father ever went with me on. I remember all the hunts I went with my father on, this seemed appropriate to carry on my body for the rest of my life.

 

Here are the photos I gave the tattoo artist.

 

DSCN0912.JPG

 

DSCN0919.jpg

 

Here is what I got and I am extremely happy about it.

 

 

 

I too had a b-day & turned 49. I still hunt with my dad who 76 he had a heart attack 2 years ago & it was pretty scary!! He was pushing 275 & ate terrible. He has since change his diet & exercise,

and is down to 225. He drew a late rifle elk tag this year & we have been planning his hunt. I don't know how many years he has left in him so every chance we get to hunt we make the most of it!!

I live 3 hours from my parents & try to visit them at least 1 every couple of months. The outdoors gives me my sanity back, with all the crap going on in the world its nice to get away, turn it off, and

just enjoy the mountains. That was a great write up, it makes you slow down & not take everything for granted.

[Hoss50]

Nothing better than a nice piece of ink.

 

My father is still alive, but is really beat up with a bad back. He can't hunt any longer, and I miss hunting with him.

[300RUM]

I was raised Lutheran and rejected it in my teens. Sounds like you and I found the same "church".

[Mocha1545]

Great tribute to your Dad. The artist did a great job.

 

My Dad hasn't been able to hunt for a few years now ( he's 92). Camp feels a little empty without him.

[wildwoody]

Just turned the big 50 myself, not sure what mine will be, don't feel much different

[singleshot]

Hit the 54 mark this year. Hunted some country with my older brother that my dad took us into when we were kids. Big 3 point looking at us like a gift as soon as we topped over the ridge. Didn't get it done but didn't really care. Had a great time with my brother, as always. My dad turned 86 this year. Every day is a gift that he is still with us. How very fortunate I am to have had such an incredible role model in my life for so long.

When asked by my kids if I ever was to get a tattoo what it might be, I point to the big euro six point on the wall. Nicely done.