Posted on 11/04/2015 7:26:30 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo
We're taking Larry deer hunting this weekend. After 35 years in the woods with Larry, sadly, this will be our last together.
After 40 years at the same job, he finally had enough and retired this past spring. He's a mere 62 years old.
He left his job on a Friday and started his new job the next Monday. Working at a local golf course. Cutting grass, doing maintenance, free lunch everyday and free golf on Mondays. He was in heaven.
About three months ago, his eyesight was suddenly failing him. The eye doctor said that there was something affecting his optic nerve and that he should quickly see a neurologist.
Four days later he was having brain surgery to remove as much of a brain tumor as they could. It was small, but growing quickly. They got some, but they couldn't all of it. Stage 4 myoblastoma. He's not going to make it.
And, of course, that sort of surgery has its drawbacks. His sight is pretty good now, but he is now paralyzed on his left side. He's left handed.
They didn't give him any assurances of long life with radiation and chemo, so he decided that rather than spend 3 days a week in a medical facility, he was going to stay in his home, with his family, instead.
That's Larry.
The crew took a vote and it was 9-0 in favor of bringing Larry for one last hunt with all of his friends. He's not actually going to hunt with us (he's in a wheelchair, fer cryin' out loud)but he will be there when we have the Friday night meal and all of the stories that will be told for the umpteenth time.
When he was told that he was, indeed, going to be a part of deer hunt 2015, he was more emotional than I have ever seen him. He's never been an emotional guy. That would be me.
So, he'll stay at the house with another friend of ours that doesn't hunt, a volunteer, and wait for a call from the woods letting him know that we filled his tag.
At first, he was against the whole idea, but now he can't wait to get on the road Friday.
This is going to be a special weekend. For a lot people. for a lot of reasons.
I visited him for a while last Friday. As I was leaving so he could have lunch and a nap, he said to me...
"Life's short. Run hard."
We love you, Larry. More than you will ever know.
Thank you.
3
As promised.
Larry will be in my prayers tonight. God bless you and your friends for this gesture towards him.
You and your friend are in my prayers tonight and every night. Best of luck with the Hunt.
Done.
L
$#%#$%#$% Damn cancer,
You guys are doing the right and good thing.
My prayers out to your friend for peace in the time he has left.
*Prayer Warriors Ping*
Didn't Bambi say this in that Movie?
He sounds like a wonderful and strong man. I wish him much luck and will be praying for him.
Funniest guy you’d ever want to meet. Well, not as funny as ME.
;-)
I think he has an awesome FRiend!
We should all be so lucky and have earned that kind of dedication. We can hope!
I’m 63 and can’t drag deer out of the woods anymore in a wheel barrow like I use to from way back there, but then again if I had friends like you. A hunter’s heart and a prayer for Larry.
Did the same thing ... retired at 62. After 44 years of the daily commute, could not take the stress anymore. So glad that Larry had an opportunity to "work" at the golf course, finally, doing something he enjoyed. I know one man who decided to retire. His coworkers threw him a party. Sadly, he dropped dead at the event and never drew even one SS check.
Advice for anyone else closing in on that age, retire now and enjoy some of the SS benefits before the government increases the retirement age to 75!
Prayers for Larry tonight and every night. God bless you, Larry.
Godspeed, Larry.
None of us will. We do not get out of this world alive. But don't despair.
What better way to spend one's last days? On a hunting trip with old friends. Its a good thing.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Larry. I pray God’s blessings for you and your friends for giving Larry one more outing with all of you.
Drag? Deer?
We raised the next generation of hunters to drag for us.
And, do the dishes.
To have friends that care as much about him as you and your hunting friends seem to do says a lot about the person he is and the life he lived. Sounds like he has nothing to regret along that line. Make it count. Prayers.
Prayers up for Larry.
He’s blessed to have buddies like you and your hunting group. I’m sure the feeling is mutual, towards Larry.
And mow the lawn.
And change the channel when the remote battery is dead.
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