KENNY RAY'S DAY

On September 18, 2001,I took my 4 year old son squirrel hunting for the first time.I have been hunter all of my life as was my father and grandfather and it was time to teach Kenny Ray.My wife Tari and I had been married for 15 years before the Lord blessed us with a son, so i had many years to imagine my son hunting and fishing the woods and ponds of southern Ohio. In early September the woods are still green and just starting to turn into Gods coloring book,coupled with a warm breeze it brings a comfort to weary souls. As i gazed upon my son and his shinning hairand the comfort of the woods, I thanked God for a wonderful day as life was indeed good.

These woods that we hunted today belonged to my namesake uncle ,he had bought them many years ago with plans to move there when he retired.My father located here just a couple of years ago.Time just moves by a little slower and life is so much sweeter. The pressure of life can make you forget just what really is important in life. As Kenny Ray and I crossed a deer trail and followed past a group of hickory trees. I watched my son try place his feet in my own footsteps ,just as I had my father's many years ago. Kenny Ray began to whisper."Daddy what do squirrels eat?" , "Daddy what was that noise?" "Daddy I am hungry."

I quietly tried to explain to him that we had to be quiet when hunting. And with a gleam in his eye he screamed Aaaahhhh!!! to let the world know he was there. Shh, I urged he looked at me with those smiling eyes of his and and yelled again sending i an echo thru the late summer woods. All that remained was for my voice to follow as i screamed also we fell in the leaves and laughed together.

Perhaps a change in tactics. We moved to the tree house that my cousin Lester had built in the woods for deer hunting, it is not really a tree house just a shed on stilts.

It was one of Kenny Ray's favorite place's to go into the woods and play. As we neared the tree house the questions began a new.:Daddy what are green briars?". As we climbed into the tree house Kenny Ray spotted a box turtle. Look Daddy it's a turtle catch him. So i caught the turtle and brought him into the tree house with us for Kenny Ray to play with.The turtle was not much of a playmate and the questions began again"Daddy what do turtles eat?" "daddy doe's he have a mommy?" He soon became restless again and asked if he could shoot the 22 rifle. I said ok but tell your mom and after a few rounds he was satisfied. We continued to talk quietly for a while but he soon became restless ,and said he was ready for lunch. so we headed back to the truck,

and had a picnic on the tailgate.

We did not get a squirrel or see a deer as i had hoped, but it was one of the best day's of my life. I pray that someday my Grandson will give Kenny Ray the same

gift.