So Lil D held her board meeting after swim practice today. I gave her the latest market report to include a "Biggie is now on the scene" and discussed some private PMs we received that were very very special. We are now in for 12 cakes. Either way this one goes, there are several fine people that will be eating St. Jude inspired pound cakes.
I've gotten a few questions about the deer pics so I'll share a bit of the story....
Last year, this auction changed the lives of me and Delaney. We have a different and better relationship in many ways because of that experience. Delaney and I made a lot of friends from that experience. Leatherneck actually invited Delaney and I to come up to his place for a youth day deer hunt. When I told Delaney about the offer, she said she wanted to go. Up to that point, she had never shot a rifle nor killed anything. She'd hunted with me a little and cleaned some birds and what not but never had been "the hunter." That invite started a lot of conversation, questions and soul searching and ultimately she decided she wasn't prepared to "kill" a deer yet and I let Leatherneck know we would regretfully have to decline. The questions about hunting didn't stop and she couldn't let it go. We made cakes and she got the amazing Tippit knife that symbolized the praise and appreciation so many of you offered her last year. Well, in December, my best buddy said he wanted to take his girls on a deer hunt on youth day and asked if I'd like to take Delaney. She was hesitant, but since her buddies were going, she said yes. We went out the weekend before and had them shoot on the range and we prepared stands and ground blinds. Delaney shot well but I was fully prepared and comfortable with her not wanting to shoot at the moment of truth. She hung her St. Jude Tippit knife around her neck and we climbed the tree. The small four walked out with about 30 minutes of light left at 50 yards and I asked Delaney if she wanted to shoot. YES! she whispered loudly. She made a great shot and was immediately excited with her deer. It worked out perfectly for a nine year old's first big game harvest. We were quite excited when we caught up with the other girls and quickly began telling our story. Once done, my buddy's Dad who had been in a ground blind with one of the girls stutter'd, Little Roey shot a biiiig deer. He was still shaking! The big deer in the pic is Delaney's friend's first deer as well. It was a magical evening and the best first hunting experiece you could hope for a kid. Delaney's little mind had one heck of a journey to make to get right with the idea of being a hunter. You all started her on that journey here last year and I'm very thankful for that. Side note....Roey's Grandfather wrote an article for Sporting Classics a couple of months back so you can see her with the big deer there as well.
Best, Julian
Topic: Delaney's Poundcake - St Jude's 2011 Auction (Read 5029 times)
