HayesGreener
Ronin
I am coming up on my annual LEOSA qualification next month. In recent years I have been a bit melancholy at this time, as I lost a very good friend to cancer two years ago, who I did LEOSA quals with every year for years. He was a retired DEA firearms instructor and one of the finest marksmen I have ever met, and the two of us always had the best targets. The Sheriff's rangemaster always remarked that he wished their deputies could shoot that well. I approach qualification with purpose each year since Larry passed, as it is now my mission to hold up our standards. I will continue to do so for as many years as I can.
Looking back over the years, I have lost many friends and relatives, some suddenly, and some from lingering illnesses. When my Dad passed 30 years ago, the minister asked me what good memories I had, and whether I had any regrets. I told him that my greatest regret was that I had not spent more time with him when he was alive, and he told me that was a good regret to have. If I had it to do over, I would ask about his memories, take him fishing, go for long walks, and maybe do some squirrel hunting with him.
Since that time I have made it a habit to visit with old friends and family whenever I can, even when travel is involved. I would travel to their funerals after all, so why not go visit them when they are alive where we can reminisce and laugh together and perhaps break bread at least one more time.
I have a circle of friends who are dyed in the wool shooters and gun enthusiasts. We have had lunch together two or three times a week, for more than 10 years. We have told and retold our war stories and ailments so many times that all of us know all the others' tales and pains. We have lost two of our number in recent years and they are deeply missed at our table, but the loss has brought us closer. We used to meet for the shooting activities but now the shooting has become secondary to the fellowship (and lunch). There is always laughter at our table and the waitresses like us because we are all handsome and tip well. (Well, at least we tip well.)
My purpose for sharing in this forum of like minds is a reminder of how fragile life is, and how fleeting opportunities to celebrate life can be. We all understand the perils and the fragility of life. After all, we expend great energy on the topic of guns and ballistics and self defense. Let's also take some time to contemplate what friends and family mean to us, and let's not be left with great regrets. I intend to celebrate life to the greatest extent possible, while packing a .45, and I will have that 1911 I have been jonesing for. (Dang, I like saying "packing a .45"). BTW, after practicing the course of fire, lunch today will be cajun shrimp boil and the re-telling of tales.
Looking back over the years, I have lost many friends and relatives, some suddenly, and some from lingering illnesses. When my Dad passed 30 years ago, the minister asked me what good memories I had, and whether I had any regrets. I told him that my greatest regret was that I had not spent more time with him when he was alive, and he told me that was a good regret to have. If I had it to do over, I would ask about his memories, take him fishing, go for long walks, and maybe do some squirrel hunting with him.
Since that time I have made it a habit to visit with old friends and family whenever I can, even when travel is involved. I would travel to their funerals after all, so why not go visit them when they are alive where we can reminisce and laugh together and perhaps break bread at least one more time.
I have a circle of friends who are dyed in the wool shooters and gun enthusiasts. We have had lunch together two or three times a week, for more than 10 years. We have told and retold our war stories and ailments so many times that all of us know all the others' tales and pains. We have lost two of our number in recent years and they are deeply missed at our table, but the loss has brought us closer. We used to meet for the shooting activities but now the shooting has become secondary to the fellowship (and lunch). There is always laughter at our table and the waitresses like us because we are all handsome and tip well. (Well, at least we tip well.)
My purpose for sharing in this forum of like minds is a reminder of how fragile life is, and how fleeting opportunities to celebrate life can be. We all understand the perils and the fragility of life. After all, we expend great energy on the topic of guns and ballistics and self defense. Let's also take some time to contemplate what friends and family mean to us, and let's not be left with great regrets. I intend to celebrate life to the greatest extent possible, while packing a .45, and I will have that 1911 I have been jonesing for. (Dang, I like saying "packing a .45"). BTW, after practicing the course of fire, lunch today will be cajun shrimp boil and the re-telling of tales.
