Take it from a "getting older" guy who's learning more and more each day about the brevity of this adventure we call life - there will be a final sunset one of these days.
Whether it's a getaway for a few days at the lake or a weeklong venture to the woods at deer camp, there comes that despairing moment that shouts like a loud speaker, "Fun's over - time to go home!" For me, that moment comes on the final evening of the escapade as the ball of fire in the sky begins flirting with the western horizon. As the sun sinks farther and farther until it is finally out of sight, the residual light reveals colors that hadn't previously been there. And in the fading orange and purple and yellow, my heart whispers a prayer to the Almighty that goes something like this, "Thanks for the time in your presence. And if this turns out to be the last time, it's been a fun ride, and I'm grateful for the experience." Without a doubt - even though we don't enjoy thinking about it - eventually the sun will set for the final time on all the things we enjoy during our time here on Planet Earth.
I grew up learning to fish and hunt with a real-life superhero, my dad. I looked forward with eager anticipation to every weekend that involved a float down the river or a trip to the woods. As a kid, it never crossed my mind that sooner or later we'd load the canoe up for the last time or follow the last blood trail we'd ever track together. Even though dad is still around, his affinity for the going and doing has been replaced with simply hearing the tales from me and his grandkids of their latest adventures in the outdoors. While I didn't realize it at the time, the sun did indeed set on our trips together when we stepped out of the canoe onto the bank at the Long Hole a few years ago and when we met up at the appointed time that late season hunt at Pomme de Terre.
Having been the beneficiary of so many good times in the outdoors with my dad while I was growing up, I wanted to make sure my young 'uns were afforded the same kinds of experiences. All the camping trips and setting lines on the river, the spring-time bass fishing adventures to Toledo Bend, the youth hunts all over the state of Louisiana, and our out-of-state quests for deer certainly left fond memories forever embedded in the hard drive of my ever-aging brain, and I trust those outings will be revisited often in nostalgic glimpses back in the minds of my children. However, as my kids are now grown and gone I have to accept that the sun has set on those days - at least in the exact fashion as they formerly were. While I hope we share many more excursions together, it won't be between dad the guide and his sidekicks. Now these times will be shared between two like-minded individuals that share a passion for the outdoors, because the sun has set on those former days.
As I write this, I find myself in yet another sunset season of life as I close out my time as a faculty member of my high school. I've had the privilege of teaching each of my children and seeing them all graduate from this place. And now the sun has set on my time here. Where the sun will rise has yet to be revealed, but I trust the Lord will allow it to rise in a place where new adventures and experiences will abound! Take it from a "getting older" guy who's learning more and more each day about the brevity of this adventure we call life - there will be a final sunset one of these days. So enjoy each sunrise and ensuing day you can while they are available. Laugh those laughs; Say those "I love yous"; Cherish each today before it quickly becomes tomorrow. And hopefully before the final sunset fades away, we'll be able to cross paths and ponder some fond memories of yesteryear - memories of times spent - In the Great Outdoors!
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