The Young and The Elderly

Some of the best memories I have, and I do mean memories, are taking my 7 year old nephew fishing, as well as my 82 year old Grandmother. I stress the word memories because, looking back, it's easy to see the beauty and pleasure in such fine day spent with family. However, a day on the water with the young or the elderly isn't always such an easy task, and I do have to admit my patience has been tested on more than one occasion. Don't get me wrong I love my nephew like he was my own, and Granny and I are the best of friends. Make no mistake, it takes a special kind of demeanor (which I often lack) to teach the young and re-teach the elderly. I laugh now thinking about the day my nephew fell into the lake after I'd already warned him multiple times to stay away from the edge. He slipped onto his butt and rolled into the frigid April water. It was shallow, but it sure woke him up. I snatched him from the water as quickly as he'd entered, and then came that primitive sound that breaks the serenity of any spring outing. He cried loud enough to draw in any predators making their residence in the woods for miles around. I quickly got his wet clothes off, and wrapped him in a blanket. Our little adventure was over as soon as it had begun. I assured him he would be alright, shook my head, fired up the old Ford, cranked the heater, and we were homeward bound.

Now Granny, she's a different story. She used to be a fishing fool. I know this because I've heard stories. Lots of them. In fact I think I've heard the same stories at least a dozen times each--possibly more. She still loves to fish, but has a harder time getting around than she did just a few years ago. I usually cast for her, and she reels in the line. I don't get much fishing in but that's okay. I've got plenty of time for that, on my more serious outings. When Granny is with, I spend a significant amount of time baiting her hooks, switching her lures, removing the fish, or untangling the rats nest that seem to form magically on her spool after only a few casts. That's okay though it's the quality time with family that counts. Right? No my friends, fishing with the young or the elderly is not for the faint of heart. The picture above is from a day last spring when I got brave and really wanted to see what I was made of. I brought my nephew and my grandma on the same outing. Let's just say it was an adventure that involved a lot of running back and forth. Yeah, I did cheat a bit by bringing my brother Jesse along as back up. I wasn't quite sure if I was ready to handle it all by myself. Good times were had indeed. If you don't believe me I dare you to try it! Double dog dare you!