Memories of Moments

Memories of Moments

To be, or not to be? That is the question. What do we live for? There are as many answers as there are people I’m sure. For me, it isn’t for the moment but for moments. Memories of moments that will last in time, accomplishments, laughs, wins, losses as well as times away from those struggles, called vacations; relaxation, to obtain those goals, all of it. Fishing is a place that can provide accomplishments, wins and losses as well as the relaxation all in one place. This year, I had planned an eight day “staycation” which because of the word “stay” was easily whittled down by demands to a three and a half day staycation. How long does one need to find what he or she needs? Probably depends on the situation. The fact remains that much can be done in a three day, more or less, jaunt.

I got some fishing in with my son, Nick. This was a high priority on my list. So the time was a success. I’m sure the moment Nick will remember about the fishing trip will be the huge largemouth bass he reeled in. The story in itself was epic. He set the line on the monster that was so big we both thought it was a carp. Soon we realized it was a huge largemouth. Nick handled the beast like a pro-letting it run, keeping the line taught and patiently reeling until he landed the tired fish. However, he also learned not to pick it up by the line out of the water. The light six pound test, stressed from steam fishing and a fish that easily exceeded its capacity, snapped and the bass fell back into his domain…with Nick close behind. He dove into the stream head first in an attempt to re-grab the huge fish.

Moments…first kisses, graduations, first meeting our spouses, the births of our children, a loved child taking our hands while walking across a sunny hayfield, a favorite dog streaking through a thicket... I’ll probably remember Nick’s fish for a long time and I’ll remember my son swimming after it even longer (the rusty bearings in my favorite reel he cast aside and so sank to the bottom will be a constant reminder). But that is not what I’ll remember most about the trip. What I’ll remember, is our way to a new fishing hole, which I was anxious to show him. I’ll remember a little boy following me down a path, then losing me in the brush. As I looked back, he came to a fork in the path, the ground there was stony and shaded so he lost my tracks. He looked left and right then called out, “Daddy, where are you?” I called back, “I’m here. Go to the right, come on, hurry, I’ve got something to show you.” He did, and when he burst out to the site I was so proud of, his eyes opened wide and a great smile broke open across his face as he took in as splendid a view as there is anywhere in the world, “Wow!” he exclaimed. That moment, that is where I found my long lasting memory.

It is inevitable; he and I will change, through the flowing course of time. My boy will grow. So, that exact moment, with each of us exactly as we were then, passed within minutes of his, “Wow!” Sure, most likely, there will be many more moments that are great, but that one will remain only as a memory of the wide eyed innocence which came with his youth which will pass faster than any of us can help.

There will come a time when he and I won’t be able to fish together. Despite that, eventually, as time flows down its bankless channels, there may be yet another moment. One chance to replicate what time had washed downstream long before. Hopefully, when the hour is right, I’ll hear again a familiar voice call out, “Daddy, where are you?” and I’ll be able to call back to him once again, “Here son, take the path to the right. Come on hurry, there’s a place and people I’ve got to show you!”

Was my vacation cut short? Yes, but only for a moment.

See you along the stream.