Several years ago, I came to know a fella through chatting on a couple different archery forums. Over time we got to be pretty good friends, although we could argue and debate amongst each other quite easily.
Along about this time, I had just started sticking my toe into the waters of traditional archery. I was shooting a Red Wing Hunter recurve, and really starting to get bit by the bug so to speak, when my bow delaminated while stringing it. A monumental setback to be sure.
Bob is a cantankerous fella, never shy on tellin ya what he's thinkin, and doesnt care if he ruffles a few feathers in the process. I respect that in a fella. Straight up honesty. Anyway, he also has a big heart.
He's always been an ardent supporter of getting bows in kids hands, promoting bowhunting, and archery. He had donated a mint Bear Kodiak Magnum to auction to raise money for Camp Wilderness, a summer hunter safety/IBEP camp for kids in which I am the camp director. Another friend of mine won the auction.
Bob lives a few hrs. drive from me, but since I was in the area for a class for work, I made arrangements to pick up the bow. While there, of course we struck up conversation about tradtional archery, and I told Bob about my Wing splitting.
He opened the door to his bow room, and its walls were lined with recurves and longbows from top to bottom. He pulled out a Bear Grizzly, 40@28", and a fistful of arrows and handed it to me. The rest, as we say, is history. Bob sold me that bow ( made me an offer I couldnt refuse), and sent it home with me. Told me I could send him a check when I had the money. THats the kind of guy he is.
As I navigated the learning curve of traditonal archery, Bob would always offer advise and tips to help me along the way. I treasure that bow, and still shoot it.
AS time went on, Bob invited me to turkey hunt on his place, and my sons also. A few years ago Bob was diagnosed with cancer, and his battles have been long and hard. Nearly lost him when he started chemo. Cindy had called me to tell me he wasnt doing well. I hopped in my truck and drove 2 hrs to the hospital, where I gave him my B4K Dream Arrow. These arrows are made for Benefit4Kids, and have raised a lot of money to help terminally ill kids over the years, but the magic is the fact that several people who recieved them have had tremendous turn-arounds in their treatments. I had finally won one in a card blitz, but I gave it to Bob. It worked.
He started doing better,although he was still in a helluva battle. Over the past few years, he has continued to support and fight for what's important to him. But a couple months ago, the doctors took him off the chemo pump. The cancer was winning. Bob is as tough as they come.
A traditional archer, sharing, big hearted, and as good as a friend as a man can be blessed with. Cindy called me today and told me his liver is shutting down, and I need to get over to see him. We live a good ways apart, but I'll be on my way in the morning.
God has blessed me with great friend. All I can say is thank you Bob for all you have done, and thank you Lord for the gift.
Never take for granted those in yor life who are important to you. Tell them how you feel about them before its too late. And have faith that God will guide them along the path home.
Topic: Thank You To A Great Friend (Read 709 times)
