fishing

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Dear Holly: Helping Your Brother Play with His Birthday Gifts

7 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

Your favorite part about your brother turning 13 a week ago was him teaching you how to use his gifts; which equates in your mind that he is letting you playing with his gifts.

He very patiently taught you how to drive his new remote control car on the track, to make it jump off the ramp.

After that, he took out one of his new fishing poles and taught you the basics of how to cast it.

I can appreciate his willingness to want to teach you new things; matched with your willingness to learn from him.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Now Need a Gone Fishin’ Sign

12 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

This past Saturday afternoon, I drove you to the park where I take my daily walks. You have been curious whether the creek there might be a good fishing spot, as you bought a fishing pole with your own money on Saturday morning.

Even though Mommy and I clearly told you that we got you a fishing pole for your 13th birthday coming up in less than a month now…

Your fishing trip was a success. You caught 16 chubs in the 90 minutes we were there.

This was so exciting for you, that you realized that you could just ride your bike there after school each day; carrying your fishing pole and tackle box in your backpack.

Like clockwork, you are home by dinnertime.

And you immediately walk through the door, giving us what has now become a predictable a report:

You are averaging one fish every ten minutes!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Catching Fish Using Your Own Invented Contraptions

12 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack,

This past Saturday morning, you asked me to take you to a nearby creek so you could test out your newest fishing traps you created.

We spent two solid hours there in the water; as the mosquitoes particularly loved my blood test, but not yours.

You tried out your customized net, fishing pole, and special trap you made using a water bottle.

Sure enough, your hard work was worth it. You caught plenty of little fish; as well as crawfish.

You enjoyed it so much, you are now working on newer, improved versions of your fishing traps.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Catching Your 1st Fish with Papa

10 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

Last week on your first dose of “summer camp” this year, you were at Nonna and Papa’s house in Alabama.

It was very special because you got to spend some time at the lake in Cedar Bluff; thanks to my Aunt Rosa.

You explained to Nonna and Papa, “I could just live here… this place has everything!”

As I knew you would, you caught your first fish while you were there!

Hopefully we’ll be able to send you back there at least once more this summer; in between all of our other upcoming family trips.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Your Homemade Fishing Pole and Net

10 years, 2 months.

Dear Jack,

One of the life lessons I am currently reminding myself of is this: Be prepared for great memories to be made… especially when life itself is a distraction.

You spent most of your free time last week creating a fishing and pole and net. This was complete your idea.

It started when you asked me to go out to the woods with you to cut down some bamboo sticks, to use as the rods.

Then you used my old pocket knife from when I was a boy to carve notches in the poles for the hooks to stay secured in, when not in use.

You also used a bamboo stick to securely tape to an old net you found at the park last year.

The net turned out to be a good decision, because it was way to cold last Saturday morning for any fish to show up in the nearby creeks. Instead, your prize catch with a pretty decent sized crawfish.

I am proud of you for taking it upon yourself to invite me to make memories like this.

Love,

Daddy