Pack Your Bags!

They say what goes around comes around and I am starting to believe it's true. As a youth I continually begged my parents to either take me fishing or allow me the freedom to go alone. It was a simple question and a simple answer would suffice. In fact, the problem was in the simplicity. You see, if asking had been a difficult task, such as bucking bales or changing pipe, I would most definitely have limited the number of times I asked. It was so simple to ask that I figured each time I passed by one of my parents I might as well throw it out there.

Until about 4 years ago I never understood how such a simple question could generate such a hostile answer. It began to become all too real when my eldest son began the practice of asking me to take or allow him to go fishing multiple times every day. That is when I began to realize it was, in fact, "coming around!"

Two things in this simple question can ignite my frustration. First, and most obvious, the sheer number of times it can be asked in short order. Does he really believe my old mind can work fast enough to change in less than 10 minutes? The second relates more to the timing and is far more frustrating. I hope I had a better understanding of timing than my son now has! Did I possibly ever ask to go fishing as the family was heading out the door to church? I don't recall actually expecting my parents to pull over on our way to Christmas dinner so I could wet a line. Five minutes before we are supposed to be at his spring recital does not seem to me like the proper time to suggest we "try our luck." Yet, to him logic seems to say "Since we drive near the reservoir on our way we might as well stop." Would it not feel strange wading down the creek in a rented tux immediately prior to your uncle's wedding? I can only think of two responses to these inquiries and both are from noted comedians. "You might be a redneck if" and "Here's your sign."

I remember hearing my parents say they hoped for this day. I wonder if they really did and if maybe they are somehow behind it? I would doubt this thought of vindication except for a conversation I recently had with a friend concerning how our children treated our homes. He has frequently told his children he can't wait until they have their own homes. "When I come to visit I am going to drag my suit case down your hall bouncing it off the walls. After which I will go to your bathroom and relieve my bladder, in whichever direction the system happens to wander." I don't know that this will actually happen, but I don't doubt his frustration with his sons (I know he had a picture behind his toilet once receive water damage).

A passion for fishing and hunting may not be without problems. Our children may try our nerves and beg for our time, but if "what goes around comes around" I have a lot of positive experiences coming my way, as well. Hey, while we are on the subject, does anyone know how I might cancel out that time I sunk dad's truck in a mud hole? If not, I hope I can keep my calm because sooner or later "what goes around comes around." Sure glad my addictions were hunting and fishing!