Quinte Fishing

Thank you all for your support. Your pictures and thoughts and messages were a small escape for me to breathe a bit and I appreciate it. It shows how hunting and fishing can bring people together and I look forward to getting out again soon.

And as a fellow hunter and angler I would like to share my speech with you from my son's (Zach) funeral. Because I know there are many here who share the same love of the outdoors with your family, as I do mine. And I would do anything to help that to continue.

I would like to begin with a story when was up at his place talking with Zach and his friends a week before he died. Something was said and his friends told me Zach doesn't listen. I said he listens very well... and then does the opposite - they laughed and agreed. He had a mind of his own and was going to do things his way no matter what.

It showed as young adults think they are invincible. But truth is they are the most vulnerable.

Their childhood has now ended - Mommy and Daddy aren't there to feed them and clean up after them all the time. And the time has come when Mom and Dad aren't enough for them anymore. They want doing things on their own. They have to get jobs, their own food, clean their clothes and rooms.
They have to get their own vehicles, licences and insurances. They are off to college, to a place of their own and they have to make plans for the future for the rest of their lives.

There are new things for them now like Facebook and their phones that make them all so connected now. Everyone knows everything in a moments notice. It makes everything instant and without time to think things through properly.

And it is all this and more at the time in their life when they are full of energy and just want to go out explore the world and have fun. THey are going out into the world to find out who they really are.

And it is a lot. And maybe for some it is too much. And there are too many out there who can't do it on their own.

They struggle along trying to find a way to deal with all this on their own. Some turn to drugs and alcohol as a means to substitute reality to create a world where their problems doesn't exist. But the reality always comes back the next day.

Some will alienate from their families because they think they are strong enough to do it on their own.
Some will be reckless, lose weight and withdrawal. Some will want nothing of value or a plan for the future.

Family and friends may see these signs and try to reach out to them. And they may not listen or talk about their problems with them because they do not want to hurt the people that they love the most.

These people need to know there are others out there that will help them. These people are not known to them and they will not judge. But they can help.

This is why we have asked everyone to donate to the Kids Help Phone number 1-800-668-6868.
This is free 24 hour, 7 days a week group of people who are there to help our young people who need it the most.

I encourage every parent to have their children put this number into their cell phone contact list. And I encourage every young person to pass it along to the world through your cell phones and through your facebooks and your twitters. But mostly through your hearts. Do this with the hope some day it reaches the person who needs it the most. Because that one person, may be the closest person right beside you.

With my deepest hopes and regards,
Adventure

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HUNT, FISH and RIDE

I'm so sorry to hear this.... I am also a father that has had to bury a son. I wouldn't wish the experience on my worst enemy.

I was a mess for sometime afterwards (I was in my 20's) a lot of therapy a lot of anger and a lot of depression after...

I hope you can find some solace as you go through this.

Prayers sent.

G