Lost an Uncle Monday, and lots of memories came back.

[FP1201]

You folks proabably didn't know him because he gave up Airboating twentyfive or more years ago, but the memories of those times are firmly etched in my mind, so make a diffrence, take a kid or two whenever you can, what he learns now will determine how well his children turn out.
My Father, his brothers, cousins and all their friends were airboaters and hunters. We spent lots of weekends and holidays at camps in Shady Oaks, River Ranch, Ocala National, and all over the Kissimmee chain...those were the best times we had growing up, and even if I can't tell him now, I'm going to tell everyone else.
Funny how many of the topics on this forum are reminiscent of time we had in the 60's, and 70's. "One day you'll realize the trail you're blazeing is already a well beaten part".
R.I.P. kenny Hancock

Someone said "Take your kid hunting now, and you won't be hunting for him later". Damn good advise!

 

[fatboy0054]

SORRY ABOUT YOUR LOSS !I AM GLAD HE GOT OUT THERE WITH YALL ! DO IT NOW WITH YOUR KID NOW ! LATER MITE BE TOO LATE ! GREAT WISDOM !YOUR RITE ITS WHAT YOU LEAVE HERE! NOT WHAT YOU TAKE WITH YOU !

 

[FP1201]

Thanks for the kind words.
Got some more bad news tonite: My Fathers Aunt (last on his Fathers side) passed away....he's not doing very well, in fact it's been very hard on him, so I'm flying into Orlando Thurs. Funeral in Ft. Mead, then make the rounds & see all the family possible. I wanted to come home to look at AB's and see the Shot-Show in O-town, but not this way... gotta be back on Tues. If you've a boat for sale in Polk County, it might be me take'n a peek.

 

[darkwader]

FP1201 You have my Prayers and condolence's for the loss of family members.

 

[Country_Boy_85]

Sorry to hear about your loss during the holiday seasons, our prayers and concerns are with you. I lost my Popsi (my grandad) around this time last year, and its a tough time to go through. One thing i've learned to make it easier on the heart is that its always better to smile on the good times that yall spent together and celebrate their life than to morn their passing.

 

[Dakota]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[FP1201]

The worst thing about all this is the realization that the generation of our parents/aunts/uncles/... is comeing to an end. The loss is much harder on my Father than me, however I too feel sorrow and pain for him.
In spite of our religious belife that passing is the stepping stone to a higher exsistance in a better place, it still hurts to know they've left.
Don't waite untill they're gone to let them know what's truly in your heart.

 

[CaneFan]

A-men to that FP1201. Sorry for your loss, but is sounds like you have very happy memories to keep with you always. All our best to you and your family.

 

[Waterthunder]

We are blessed to be here in Florida for sure near so much nature, I hope to pass it on to my children too! Sorry for your loss and judging by your post he lived life. Most people in todays world have no idea what the outdoors are about especialy the inviromentalists. I just took out a chemical enginer from DuPont for an airboat ride and he told me he has never been in the woods before and this was the coolest thing he has ever done. That made me feel so good then so bad for him leading such a sheltered life. And you are right make sure somebody understands how you feel before they are gone, learned that one the hard way too.

 

[Wild Hair]

sorry for your loss.

Joel

 

[Sniper]

Sorry for your loss and that's the very reason I took my 79 year old Mom
to area 3a just before Christmas and it would not have happened if it was not for Airboat4fun and Cowboy,Florida cracker and a few others that came to be there and help with the ride.

 

[cowboy]

Yeah Sniper,
You got it done.
It was your primary purpose that day, and I think you had your priorities straight for sure!

Sorry to hear of your loss FP1201.
Get it done while you can, there may not be a chance tomorrow.
It's a good message.

I try to do that myself as much as I can.

I think the best advise I have seen on here is Country's signature:
Don't waste your time, cause it's the one thing you can't get anymore of.

 

[fatboy0054]

WE ARE REALLY BLESSED ,TO HAVE FAMILY BEFORE US TO MAKE US WHAT WE ARE TODAY ! I HAD HEARD STORYS AROUND HERE MAKE YOU FEEL THAT CERTAIN FEELING ! I BELIVE THEY ARE IN THE BETTER PLACE ! WE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE IN TROUBLE ! AND I BELIVE THERE ARE LOOKING DOWN ON US ! SHAKING THEIR HEAD ! AND STILL LOVING US ! THEY SHOW US LOVE IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER ! JUST PASS IT ON !

 

[basketcase0302]

FP1201,

VanZant sings it, If you wanna hear God laugh, tell him your plans!

Sorry for your loss, (I wouldn't be airboating if it were not for my Grandfather riding me around in the front yard back in 1963 on one).

Say a prayer that our children love the outdoors as much as we do :angel5:

Basketcase

 

[FP1201]

Thanks to all!
Thanks to the Lord the entire trip, includeing the return home tonite went well.
On a slightly diffrent note: I stopped at GTO Airboats to see what they had available and ask a few questions....there was a die-hard "Gator's" fan there picking up his boat, and what a fine one it was! I snapped a couple pictures, but this one say it all.