Oh! Deer Me!!!

I remember as a child watching Bambi. I even remember having a book and maybe a color book of the beloved cartoon character. I always loved the cute little cartoon movie. Then I met my hubby and he HATED it. He would tolerate Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, but Bambi? No. Why? Because in Bambi, "man" who is really a hunter, is the bad guy. My husband doesn't want to ever be considered the "bad guy."

I had grandparents, uncles and cousins who all loved to hunt for sport, but my dad was not a hunter, so I guess I never really thought about it before I got married. But when I started dating my husband, I soon realized that hunting was a big part of his life. His family, in which there are four brothers, his dad being the oldest, have their own hunting camp. Every fall the men gather and have their own mini reunion next to the campfire. We even have Thanksgiving dinner out there! So if you consider that my hubby is the youngest grandson out of seven grandsons, well you know that "going to the camp" was among his first thoughts, for sure.

So this "city" girl married her a country boy at heart, who loves to fish, hunt and spend time in the great outdoors. And although I don't always share the excitement over hunting and hanging out in the woods for long periods of time, I do get family, family traditions and enjoying a hobby or two. So although I don't hunt, have only shot a gun once in my whole life, I have learned though the years, to be excited over new camo boots and prize "racks."

And then I had a son. All of a sudden I found my baby boy wanting "to go to the camp," wear camo and hang with the "menfolk." I soon learned to hold my tongue and "trust" God and my hubby when knives, guns, four wheelers, etc.. were all brought into the picture. After all, he just wants to be like his daddy. And that is the way it is suppose to be. Isn't it?

So every fall, I say my usual "be carefuls" and hug real tight and pray. I pray for safety. I pray that my baby boy "listens' at all times to his dad and other relatives. I pray that he will have a good time, being with his family. I even pray that maybe just maybe, that he will see "the big one." Because, after all, that is the desire of his young hunting heart.

Well, today, I came home from the store to two very excited hunters. Jordan shot his first deer, an eight point. He was soooo EXCITED!

I have a picture. If you are not a hunter or belong in a hunting family, or the idea of hunting "grosses you out" you might want to pass on the rest of my post. I totally understand. Just know that our family might enjoy the sport, but they also eat everything they kill. In fact if you were to ask my kids, venison is one of their favorite meats.

So here he is, my proud little eleven year old with his "big one..."