My wife's brother has been suffering with a terrible disease called Total System Atrophy (akin to Parkinson's or Lou Gehrig's); he's been wheel chair bound for the past few years. We lost him Wednesday. He was about 14-15 years old when I first showed up as a long haired freaky art student for my first date with his big sister; he's almost more brother to me than my own two, both somewhat older than I. We've stomped many a bird cover together and even though I always toted a double gun and he shot one of those auto thingies (and shot them well) we navigated these old prairies pretty well. In a way it's a blessing I suppose; he had nothing but suffering ahead. But still. Here he is in happier times with his three granddaughters. Stanley Merlin Critchfield - rest well, brother. I love ya. I'm reminded of the ending of a John Hewitt story where John's father was asked if an old friend had been a good hunting partner. His reply: "As good as there was. As good as there was."
I lost a hunting buddy
- Fin2Feather
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Re: I lost a hunting buddy
Sorry for your loss, Phil. Jim
Goodbye Mandy, once in a life time hunting dog. I miss you every day.
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Re: I lost a hunting buddy
Great picture, and great way to remember your BIL, Phil. I understand your loss, and also understand your seeing his passing as a blessing. There are far worse things than dying.
My condolences, SRH
My condolences, SRH
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Re: I lost a hunting buddy
Sorry for your loss. Tough stuff indeed. There will be many times in the field where you will have a flash backs to when he was there. Whether it was a shot a bird, a cover you hunted together etc. Will bring both a tear and a smile at the same time. God rest his sole. Sounds like a wonderful man.
- Fin2Feather
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Re: I lost a hunting buddy
Thank you, my friends, for the kind words.
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