There are a lot more details to the hunt side of the story, but I'll keep that part brief.
My buddy Brian and I spent 10 days in the back country. To date it was the toughest hunt we have had for finding elk. In that time period we put around 100 miles on the horses and spent countless hours hiking and glassing trying to locate the elk. Our hard work paid off with a couple of exciting encounters, but nothing real solid, and they were very few and far between.
On Tuesday, Brian decided enough was enough and hiked up to the highest point in the area. He found all the elk (a herd of around 500), but discouragingly all on private land around 3 miles away. Now we realized why we felt like we had been chasing our tail.
On Wednesday the 7th, We got up at 4 am and headed out. Little did I know that day my life was never going to be the same. We rode 4 miles then hiked up to a spot we were sure was going to hold some elk. No dice. Back to camp for the afternoon, and then off to another spot around 6 miles away. This time Brian spotted some bulls crossing into the public land, and off we went.
When we finally got there soaking wet, we could see the light on our tent was on. Brian was planning on leaving the next day so I had invited another good friend to come hang out with me at camp, but he wasn't going to come in for another 2-3 days. I figured he must have decided to come in early. As we rode up we saw that another one of my friends was with him. We were surprised to see them both back there, and I knew something was up. When they told me to get down because they had something to tell me my mind was racing. Brian asked if our wives and kids were alright and they said they were fine. If I would have had 10 years to guess the next sentence I never would have guessed right. My good friend TJ then informed me that my mom had went home to be with the Lord that morning. I didn't even really react at first. My mom had just turned 66 three weeks before, and has never had a health problem in her life. To say it was the shock of my life is a big understatement. The emotions didn't even come until about 10 minutes after the news. It was when I realized that right before my trip I had called my mom and talked to her that I finally broke down. I had been doing a ton of errands to get ready for "the most important part of my year" that day, and had a lot of drive time, so I decided to giver her a call. That was the last time I ever talked to my mom on this earth. I had actually pulled the car over so I wouldn't lose reception during our conversation. When I later checked my phone we spent 2 hrs and 7 mins talking with each other. For the rest of my life I will always be so thankful I did that.
Paul
It goes without saying that I will miss her a ton, but I have total confidence that I will see her again and that she is in eternity this very second enjoying the wonders of heaven. Because my mom loved so much she had a lot of grief over the years due to the bad choices others made, including one of my brothers. I really believe that is what killed her, a broken heart. That said, she had cast all her cares upon her saviour, and was clinging to His promises. We found her bible open in her prayer room, and underlined was "Be still and know that I am God". As sad as I am, I know that my mom is an "is", not a "was". I also know that I will see her again, because I believe in the same God as she did. It is almost ironic to think that while part of me is so sad, part of me is very happy that she now has all the answers to her questions, she will never be sad again, and will never again be weak, or sick, or tired, or discouraged.
You may be upset with your brother for entirely valid reasons, but leave that weight behind. Like your hunt, life can be challenging. You don't need to carry useless baggage.
Take care, brother.
#1 Always, always, always take the time to call, or write, or say I love you. Always put the important over the urgent. My mom and I had a wonderful relationship, and I have no regrets. I loved her, she loved me and was proud of me, and we always made sure to tell each other the same. For me, knowing that when I was "busy" I still made time to pull over just to chat gives me unbelievable comfort.
#2 Never get too caught up in what you are doing and the cares of this life. I have read many times from others experiencing the same thing here on BS over the years on how short life is. I told Brian as we drove home that night how ironic it was that just a few hours before our biggest concern in the world was finding and killing an elk. Now that seemed pretty insignificant.
#3 Lastly, seek out the true purpose in life. Simple belief in God is not the end all be all. Believing in Jesus Christ, asking for His forgiveness for your sins, serving Him, and loving Him is. One day we will all stand before Him and give an account of our lives. If you spent yours loving, knowing, and serving Him you will not regret it on that day, just like I now have no regrets that I pulled over and talked to my mom. The things I had to do that day seemed really important at the time, but now all the stuff I had to do that day is just that..... stuff. Our time spent here on this earth will seem just like that when we stand before God. All of our "arrangements" or "agreements" with the "Big Man upstairs" won't hold water. It will simply be, did you love and serve Him, or love and serve yourself? I pray that if anything I ever write here on Bowsite has meaning to you that this will.
I am so glad to have been raised by my mom. It is easy for me to be sad, even angry at what I have lost, especially at my age, but I realize that I have been so blessed to have a mother like her. I want to be thankful for what I had, not what I lost. My mom was never a hunter, and had no desire to hunt, but she always took interest because that's what I enjoyed. She was the first one to take pictures of my latest kill, and listen with genuine interest as I excitedly told her all the details of the hunt. I am a blessed man, and I am thankful for her life and her impact on mine.
She was scheduled to come out here to Montana with my dad in a couple of weeks and spend Thanksgiving with us. Now my dad will be coming alone. I ask you to pray for him as he has lost his partner of 46 years. We are going to be doing some hunting together, so I'll post the updates as they happen. I think I am going to dust off my gun and head back to the mountains this coming week and continue where I left off. Nothing like the smell of elk and pines. Chicken soup for the soul.
Thanks for taking the time to read. Treat every day like it's your last, because it very well could be. Live with no regrets!
My Mom passed away at 52 and I was 28, 24 years ago and it stills feel like it was yesterday.
She will always be with you, take care.
JP
-Mitch
derycreek, I was 19 also, when I lost my dad - still sucks!
We could all use a little perspective now and then. Make time for your loved ones, and keep your priorities in order.
Best phone call you ever made!
May God continue to bless you and yours. May God always be in your heart and soul. And, may we all never lose sight of what he has given everyone. Salvation for their commitment to and, acceptance of the savior. Jesus Christ is Lord and, the only way to receive that salvation. I'm am certain there is a man that has or will read this, that will accept him due to your sharing this. As the Bible says, there is Good in all things that come from the Lord. God Bless you all men.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mark
Dear God, please embrace Justin and his family during this time you welcome his Mother into your arms forever .... Amen
My thoughts are with you and your family my brother.
Although we're buddies, I've never met or seen a picture of your mother before. She has a glow about her and I'm sorry for your loss but happy about your perspective on her amazing life. Your words will keep me in check this fall as I measure my passion for hunting against my true responsibilities in life.
Mike
Carl
Prayers from Utah for you and your loved ones.
Good luck, Robb
I’ve been praying for you and your family.
“ #1 Always, always, always take the time to call, or write, or say I love you. Always put the important over the urgent. My mom and I had a wonderful relationship, and I have no regrets. I loved her, she loved me and was proud of me, and we always made sure to tell each other the same. For me, knowing that when I was "busy" I still made time to pull over just to chat gives me unbelievable comfort.
#2 Never get too caught up in what you are doing and the cares of this life. I have read many times from others experiencing the same thing here on BS over the years on how short life is. I told Brian as we drove home that night how ironic it was that just a few hours before our biggest concern in the world was finding and killing an elk. Now that seemed pretty insignificant.
#3 Lastly, seek out the true purpose in life. Simple belief in God is not the end all be all. Believing in Jesus Christ, asking for His forgiveness for your sins, serving Him, and loving Him is. One day we will all stand before Him and give an account of our lives. If you spent yours loving, knowing, and serving Him you will not regret it on that day, just like I now have no regrets that I pulled over and talked to my mom. The things I had to do that day seemed really important at the time, but now all the stuff I had to do that day is just that..... stuff. Our time spent here on this earth will seem just like that when we stand before God. All of our "arrangements" or "agreements" with the "Big Man upstairs" won't hold water. It will simply be, did you love and serve Him, or love and serve yourself? I pray that if anything I ever write here on Bowsite has meaning to you that this will.”
These may be the truest words ever posted on Bowsite.
Prayers....
>>>>-------->
I lost my mom, good lord .... it's been five years already, I pray everyday about her and give thanks. I didn't know your mom, but reading your post . . . . heck I miss her. God bless.
Previously I stated "I think I am going to dust off my gun and head back to the mountains this coming week and continue where I left off. Nothing like the smell of elk and pines. Chicken soup for the soul".....
4 days after I got back home, I got my chance.
I know this is bowsite, but I have to post this. I'll keep the story brief.
After a total of almost 2 weeks in the backcountry, dozens of hours in the saddle with well over 100 miles on the horses, and enduring the loss of my mom, I finally connected on this great bull.
I spent 11 days during archery chasing elk, but had an abrupt end to the hunt when I was unexpectedly picked up at camp and informed my mom had went to be with the Lord.
After spending 2 weeks with my family back in Michigan loving and supporting each other, I knew what my heart needed was the solace and solitude of the mountains, where I could do some soul searching and reflecting.
On the way up the mountain that evening, I had a talk with the Lord. I asked Him if it would be okay if my mom got to see the adventures and good parts of my life. An hour later I killed this bull. It took 10.5 hrs to get him broke down and packed out, rolling back into camp at 5 am!
I don't know of any bible verses that support or negate whether or not our loved ones can see our lives here on earth, but I'd like to think my mom got a front row seat on this one.
Very special hunt. Feeling very blessed and humbled..... God is good...... All the time.
Glad I missed the pack out!!! HAHA!
