Family Traditions

When I was growing up, we spent every single spare moment on the water. My Dad was an avid fisherman. He worked very hard to provide for our little family, and we got by on very little. Fishing was more than a recreational sport, it was a means for survival. And boy did we eat well! 

Recently, I was cleaning up the house preparing for the holiday decorations and I found this old photo. It definitely made me giggle. 

 It made me giggle because I remember why I was crying. I remember this day like it was yesterday. We spent an incredible day on the water - my mom, my dad, and I. He had this little jon boat that could take us all over the lake. I loved it! However, on this fateful day, I had just obtained a brand new pair of sparkly pink jelly shoes. Anyone who lived during the 80's knows that these shoes were all the rage. As we were chugging along, I was dangling one shoe over the edge and enjoying the splashes that ensued. My ever-so-patient mother told me several times that I was playing with fire, and she was right.

It didn't take long for the water to snatch that little sparkly shoe right out of my hand - never to be found again. Instantly, tears welled up in my eyes and I remember feeling as though life as I knew it would never be the same again. My little heart broke because I knew that we wouldn't be able to replace that shoe. 

It was a hard lesson to learn, but two beautiful things came out of that experience. First, I learned that I should listen to my parents. I was fortunate to have parents that were fun, understanding, and always had my best interests at heart. It didn't take me long to realize that when they did instruct me on things, I needed to follow their direction.  Secondly, I learned that if I didn't take care of my things that I would lose them. While most parents probably would have taken their child to get another pair of shoes, mine didn't, and I am thankful (now)! 

While every fishing trip might not be the best one, it's always a good one. I don't even remember if we caught anything that day (I'm sure my Dad knows), but every time we went out on the water together I came back a better person. 

Take your kids fishing. Even if you think we might be having a lousy time, I assure you, we are loving every minute of it.