Way Up North

Easter being today, I was contemplating not posting. I decided instead to throw a shout out to a special family of mine. 

I have a memory of asking my mom for 3 kinds of cereal in one bowl after a weekend “way up north”.  She called a certain someone asking where I’d gotten that idea, even though she already knew. For as long as I can remember my brother and I would get packed up and we would go “way up north” throughout the year, whether it be for a day trip or a long weekend. Okay, so it’s in Vermont and just over an hour from our house, but nicknames just stick. Especially with all the goons in this family. 

My “way up north” family holds such a special place in my heart. 

My favorite part of visiting, especially during hunting season, has always been listening. Listening to the nicknames, the reminiscing, the stories of practical jokes, and seeing these bonds evolve over time. We have all bonded over so many stories. They’re told so often that whether or not you were there, you feel like you were. Even though we get together for hunting and fishing often, these are people that are a part of every aspect of my life. Graduation parties, weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, anniversaries, annual bashes, funerals: they’re always there. Along with the prevalent sayings like “what ails you?”. 

I guess the point I am trying to make is that among all the stories and memories I have surrounding hunting and fishing, these hobbies have given me more than just that. They’ve given me irreplaceable people in my life. The memories are made better because many of them are shared with these near and dear people in my life. We laugh together, grieve together, hunt & fish together, make meals, and just about everything else in between. 

Build these bonds in your life. Make the time for the trips. Make the memories. Whether it be getting together to get outdoors to hunt or fish, or just a day trip to visit your buddies and grab some food. Take your kids. Show them these friendships. Help them nurture their own. 

Hunting and fishing are great. What’s even better is having such amazing people to share it with. If we do happen to get skunked, at least we are all in good company. There’s always tons of great food, lots of laughs, and heartfelt hugs as we say not goodbye, but “til next time”. 

My life would be empty without these people, and you all know you who are. Much love!