father's day

this could take a while. i guess i'll begin with my fondest memories of my dad growing up. most of them involve my grandpa as well. heading out at night to go frog gigging, listening to ole miss on the radio on the way to deer camp in grandpa's truck, my first deer i ever killed, throwing the football, Christmas mornings, hunting on thanksgiving day every year, sitting around and watching football games, all night drives to my rodeo's, family reunions at kentwood, going over to grandpa's house to watch ole miss play, everything deer camp, my first truck, letting me drive the family car home from the bay, coming to the bay after school where dad was working, fishing behind number 7, handgrabbing, living in the apartment, taking me to the casino, my wedding day, visits out west, and probably one that will rank among the best ever is our upcoming elk hunt in colorado. my dad always put us first. he always taught us to work hard, do our best, hold our head high, never let anyone talk down to you, give respect, earn respect, be honest, and always know that he was there for us. i couldnt have asked for a better dad, then and now. of course there were times when i hit "that stage" where we didnt get along, but i knew he always loved me. my dad is my best friend and it really sucks to be this far away from him. i miss our weekends at deer camp, fishing, and watching ole miss play. i hope and pray that i will be as good of a dad to preston as he is to me. there;s so much about this hunt coming up that im looking forward to. the hunt itself, being with dad the first time he hears an elk bugle and sees one in the wild, being in camp every night after the hunt with our friends and my brother, but i have to admit the thing im looking the most forward to is the ride out there. he is either flying here or to salt lake city and we will ride to delta colorado together, just me and him, driving through the rocky mountains together. i think often of how lucky i am. i was fortunate enough to be brought up with a dad that taught me so much about life, most of those lessons i learned hunting with my dad. i couldnt imagine growing up not hunting. i know some kids dont have what i did and that is sad. so, i guess ive rambled enough. just thought id share some of my thoughts about my dad on fathers day. i wish i couldve been there with him today. i love you dad