When Terry called me the morning after, to tell me that Chris had passed away....like so many when they heard the news, I was devistated.
When you hear of the passing of such a fine young man, father, son, soldier, and friend to all who's life he touched....you can't help but think about your own life and the blessings of family and friends....life is very fragile.
For two days I couldn't sign on to Trad gang without shedding tears over the writing here about Chris.
I was supposed to be sharing a camp with Chris and Larry right after Christmas in TX. Now that wouldn't happen...
For all these reasons it's been a tough few days...I couldn't get too far thru any day since without thinking of Chris and the outpouring of condolences from the wonderfull people of TG. It seemed everything reminded me of what was going on...I couldn't even start to imagine what his family was going through...
Through all this, I've been thinking of a good way, a way Chris would really appreciate, to honor the life of a true traditional bowhunter...
Today was the first time since Chris' passing that I had the opportunity to hunt. I drove to my parking spot, and started dressing in the dark. I put on just enough so as not to sweat on the walk in, locked my truck, and reached into my pack for my headlamp that I've been using on all my hunts for the last 3 years...then it hit me....
I'd gotten this Petzel head lamp in the St. Jude auction....it was donated by Chris Surtees...
Wearing it had a whole new meaning now...
After turning it on, I started walking and said my prayer I say everytime I walk into the woods, of course this time including the Surtees family...
As I walked, I thought..."how cool would it be to kill a deer today to honor Chris"...what better way...
I got to my stand and almost immediately before I was even fully dressed I had a deer come by about 60 yds. away...it walked off and I settled in...
First text I got was from my buddy Glen(glenbo here). He'd just signed on to TG for the first time in over a week last night. He was saddend, like everyone else here, by the news of Chris' passing.
Another reminder of Chris....
As the sun rose, and my surroundings came to life I couldn't help but take some pix...
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Later on, one of the many texts of the morning came from Terry Green...he was about to meet up with Larry, Chris' dad, to help with Chris' things. Don, Skyler,Tammy, and Cloe Wilson were also there to help Larry.
Another reminder of Chris...
The more these reminders came, the stronger the feeling grew within me to make this happen...
Then about 8:30, to the south of me, I saw some deer and I really thought this was it! Seven deer in all......but it wasn't meant to be, they wandered off, never coming close enough...
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Eight deer already...this was turning out to be a great late season hunt, regardless of the outcome.
Then for whatever reason, this hit home...
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I can only hope I had a small part of this, as these have long been my favorite, but Chris' favorite recurves were his Kwyk Styks made by Jack Kempf. As a matter of fact when we left the Pig-Gig this year and got cell service, he checked his e mails. With a big smile on his face, he shared pictures of his new Kwyk Styk that was on the way to his house from Jack.
Another powerful reminder of Chris...
A little later, as a scrolled through the contact list in my phone to send a text to a friend...there's Chris' name...
As time passed, I was starting to think that maybe it just wasn't meant to be. I'd had a great morning, in beautiful weather, and saw as many deer as I'd seen on any other hunt all fall.
I had set myself a time to leave earlier...I would stay till 10:00...then get home to do some things I had to get done.
About 9:50, my phone vibrated in my pocket...it was Cade calling to see how I was doing and when I'd be home....I told him I should be home by 11:00...we said our "I love you's" and hung up.
Not a couple minutes later, long after I really expected to see any more deer, and closing in on the time I'd set to leave...I heard something walking over my left shoulder...
Topic: In Honor of a Good Man... (Read 1018 times)
