So here it is, that Sunday that I DO NOT look forward to. Each summer, my fishing partners (my two sons) and I always find a way to sneak away and get in one more “Bluegill Bash” before going back to school. The up side was Son #2 was staying at home while #1 went off to school in Boston.
But this summer, this Sunday is bittersweet. #2 goes to college - he moves into his dorm today. #1 leaves this weekend.
So Sunday afternoon in the middle of all the packing, all of the turmoil, I quietly slip 3 rods and 3 bags into the truck. I tell Mamma that the boys and I have an errand to run, and by now she knows what we’re up to…we’re going “bluegill bashing”. She smiles and we share a knowing look…I’m loosing both my fishing partners this year.
We go out to our favorite pond and I quickly catch a few 10" and larger bluegill then I sit down and watch. I watch as my boys have become accomplished fly fishers and casters. I watch as they compare fish and poke each other as to whose fish is bigger…
I take a few pictures as the sun starts to go down over the hill when #1 looks around and sees me sitting on a rock just watching. He tells me “Dad, we’ll be back at this pond before you realize it”. He knows.
I’m a blessed man.
Son #1 (Senior BioChemistry major):
Son #2 (last fall with his largest LM on a fly) (Freshman Mechanical Engineering major):
I know what you mean. I moved my daughter (freshman) to her dorm last week and my other fishing partner started his sophmore year of high school. We hardly fished at all this year for a variety of reasons and now one is gone and the other is pretty busy. Congrats on getting that “errand” taken care of.
Hopefully we can squeeze in one more outing before the end of the season.
My son just started his Jr. year in High school, sure dose go fast
I can imagine your feelings of joy and being a bit sad at the same time
but for sure bottom line is your blessed,
You have no idea how quickly they slip by, I am sure it was just year before last that I bought my 3 year son an extendo pole and he caught his first bluegill on a cricket. He called last night and talked with his Mom to give tell her about his scores to go back to school and get his PhD, he will reach 40 years before he finishes his first year.
I can’t be old enough to have a 39 year old child. I just celebrated by 49th birthday for the 14th time.
Enjoy them while you have them, I love my son but he has no interest in fishing any longer.
Nice looking kids.
My fishing buddy Mike and I used to go for a week in the mountains after labor day but since his dad’s stroke he is not able to leave.
My wife is a school teacher so she will be out of the house starting monday.
My summertime fishing buddies are my grandsons. They start back the day after Labor Day. Maybe I’ll help my lady get her classroom ready the first 2 days, then take the grandsons to the mountains for one more outing. Thanks for the idea son of martin.
Thank you for the comments about the boys. We are very proud of them. Good thing they got their Mamma’s looks and brains!
Update: Son#2 called last night. Seems his new roommate, and the boy across the hall are all flyfishers! He asked if he could bring them home over labor day so we could all hit the pond together! I can see it now…bluegill, grilled burgers… maybe I just adopted two new sons?
My nephew is starting at University of Cincinnati in a few weeks. 65 miles give or take. Good news is I know of a fly shop just off campus, so I see a visit or two every quarter!
A good thing about back to school: sales on many school items that can be used at the fly bench.
Thanks for comments about the boys. We are very proud of them.
Update: #1 announced he feels a call to ministry. He decided to tell us this at 11:00 pm last night packing the last of his stuff. He feels called to teach science / biology / chemistry in public schools. Wow - he’s headed into his senior year!!!
For those of you of faith, please pray for him and for the finances. Seems he will need an extra semester plus student teaching. I suggested he go straight towards his masters then teach. Lots happened last night!
Update #2:#1 pulled out of the driveway this morning at 7:30 headed toward Boston. I swear the cat was crying, I couldn’t tell through my tears…now it’s me, mamma and that old cat. At least he gives up good dubbing!
Yep. That times comes in every Family. The kids finally begin to leave the nest and spread their wings.
While it might have it’s remorse now, but sooner than you realize, they will be visiting home with new loved one’s, and a branch will begin to grow.
When that branch bears fruit, there, there Grandpa, is your new fishin partners. Because you need to teach them, too.
What do I know? I’ve been a Grandpa since I was 35, and I’ve loved it!
But a new branch began on August 27, 2009. And now we are Great Grandparents. A Great Grandson has come to us. I’m 59. :shock:
So smile, hold your head up and know you have done a great job getting your Son’s, your fishing buddies, this far.
They will be back, there will still be Bluegill Bashes.
But it is all a part of growing.
Once you are a Parent, always you will be.
I’m retiring next April. Because I have way to many places I need to be right now. I just don’t have time for work, I need to be teaching.
I’m afraid that back to school will be a done deed for all of those who are going by the end of this long weekend. Labor Day was usually the very date for school to start. I still remember the song that marked the beginning of summer’s end in New England. "School bells ring and children sing it’s back to Robert Hall’s again. Mothers know for better clothes, it’s back to Robert Hall’s. That advertisement always warned us that we had less than 2-3 weeks of vacation left. Oh well! 8T
