Our grandson, Slade, moved back to Pagosa. “Grandpa, let’s go fishing.”
Slade would take care of him, carry his chair and pole, throw in the line, and help him reel in the fish. It would be a fun day being with his grandson.
Al was giddy with excitement. He couldn’t sleep. He worried about the perfect pole to take. Al spent two days going through all his fishing poles, reels, bobbers and tackle boxes. He had fishing line wrapped around his legs, trailing through the house from outside, but, finally choosing the best two fishing poles, he was ready.
Our daughter, Angel, his all-time fishing buddy, is not always available to spend the day at the fishing hole. She spent a couple of hours cleaning out one of the smaller tackle boxes making it ready for her dad.
I said to our grandson, “Your grandpa lived to hunt and fish. Thank you for taking him fishing. You’re going to be catching a few last memories. You don’t know how happy you’re making him, and one day it will be one of the most precious memories you’ll have to remember him by.”
That coveted day came. My grandson picked up his grandpa, put chairs, tackle box and fishing poles in the back of the truck. I reminded them to grab the fishing cookies, a tradition that goes back to the days when our children were young. Al would always say, “We’ve got to take fishing cookies. We get hungry.”
Al and his grandson went to town, purchased worms, drove to Echo Lake and found the most lucrative fishing hole. This perfect fishing hole has now become their secret place. Only they know where the fish are waiting for that baited hook, ready to jump on their lines.
Two tired fishermen came home with their limit and fishing stories that were told over and over. Our grandson left with the promise that they would go again before it gets too cold. The leftover worms in their Styrofoam container went into my refrigerator to ensure there would be another day. But it was Al’s fond talk about all the fish they caught that lingered through each conversation with anyone taking time to listen.
More days have come and gone. Our daughter joined her nephew and his grandpa back to their favorite fishing hole. More fish. This time Al showed our daughter how to clean the fish. No longer could he do it, but he was teaching her what he had done a thousand times before.
At the dinner table, we heard the fishing stories one more time, and everyone said, “There is still no better meal than a fresh-smoked rainbow trout.”
It reminds me of a book, “Tuesdays with Morrie,” which I read years ago. Its message has always stayed with me. “Tuesdays with Morrie” is a memoir by Mitch Albom about his weekly meetings with his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz. He gained more than he gave. He gained Schwartz’s profound wisdom from a life lived with purpose and love.
Slade, our grandson, and Angel, our daughter, are living out the wisdom of this book. They are taking time to enjoy their dad and grandpa. They are doing the things that come from their heart. They are loving by devoting themselves to him a few hours each week.
I said to our grandson, “Your grandpa’s mind is slipping. It’s good for you to take time to give him these memories. These days, he’s living out his memories that you two are making for him. One day he’ll be fishing with Jesus. I’m sure Jesus knows the best fishing hole in the rainclouds and he’s saving it for your grandpa. If I remember right, Jesus loved to cook up a few fish for his disciples.”
I can hear Al’s grandson say to Jesus one day, “Thank you for taking care of grandpa for me. And, don’t forget the fishing cookies. He gets hungry.”
Final brushstroke: Fishing is a heart issue. It springs from the life of a man who loves to fish and hunt. A teachable moment when memories are made. Like “Tuesdays with Morrie,” they are gaining profound wisdom from a life lived with purpose and love.
Readers’ comments
Send your comment to bettyslade.author@gmail.com
“Hi Betty! Hope you are well. I miss seeing you at PSHS events!
“I wanted to tell you that I loved your column - Throw Mama from the Train. As my father did for me and my siblings, he had his “house in order” including all the final life decisions and arrangements. It was the biggest gift and blessing he left for us. Most importantly, everything happened the way he wanted it, as it should be, and allowed us mourn and remember him fondly. Thanks! Lisa Scott, Pagosa Springs, CO.”
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