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"Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." ~Henry David Thoreau



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One of our writers, who also contributed two beautiful poems to "Angel's Legacy" suffered a great loss yesterday. Francine Pucillo's sister lost her battle with cancer yesterday morning. Please take a moment to send a condolence note to Francine at the web page she built in her sister Lorraine's memory. http://poetry-emotion.com/With_Love_To_Lorraine/Gentle_Soul.html

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"A Great Tradition"
by Susan Farr Fahncke


They are smelly, scaly and I hate them. The mere presence of a fish sends my stomach lurching. But fish and fishing are a big part of my life and strangely enough, I am grateful for the sport of fishing.

I have raised my oldest son, now sixteen, primarily on my own. He has never known his father, and there have been many times in his young life when I have prayed hard for that gap in his life to be filled.

My brother-in-law is an avid fisherman. Tall, gentle and quiet, Ken has always included Nick in his fishing trips, and looking back over the past sixteen years, I realize this has had more than a casual hand in my son's upbringing. He filled the gap so quietly that I didn't realize it until there was no gap.

Beginning when Nick was a small boy, around four, Ken would ask if he could take him fishing. At first I balked. Visions of my child tumbling helplessly into a rushing river, or worse, falling through the ice during a winter ice-fishing trip gripped me in a panic. But his begging green-blue eyes always melted me, and every time I gave in. Every time I waited and prayed for a safe return (and no fish to stink up my house) and every time God answered my prayers in His own way. My enthusiastic, adorable son grew to love fishing over the years, and became quite good at it, always bringing the smelly things home, and always sporting a happy grin that in a mother's eyes is priceless.

There were, of course, the inevitable tumbles through the ice, the mishaps of an over-eager boy, scrapes, soggy lunches, frostbite, stuck hooks and lost poles over the years; all things I feared, but all have contributed to an inexplicable bond between Nick and Ken. As the years wore on, fishing became an expected tradition with the two of them. Winter still brings ice-fishing and sledding, summer always lends itself to early morning trips to various lakes throughout Utah. I have learned to cope and although I still pray, I accept the smell, the muddy clothes and the long days away, and even (gag) the fish, because nothing has brought as much joy to my son.

Over time I have begun to appreciate that these aren't just fishing trips. They are bonding, talking, silently thinking together trips. They are talks about life, family, God and all that is important in this world. They are golden, laughter-filled days that Nick will long remember and will one day experience with his own children. My brother-in-law has gently led my son to a path of goodness, of acceptance and of love. He has taught him how to be kind. How to serve, how to love. Ken has shown Nick, through his humble example, what it means to be a father. This, I realize, is an incredible gift, and one that I can not give him. He has instilled in Nick a sense of what it is to be a Godly man, a person of integrity and how to stick close to God. I know that these trips have brought blessings beyond my recognition, and the mere thought gives me comfort. I have seen my son grow into a wonderful, kind, caring young man and I know my brother-in-law has had no small part in this.

Ken has tirelessly used his precious time to stand side by side with a little boy, walk the path into young manhood next to him and unwaveringly fill the gap without ever being asked. This is the greatest of gifts and one I will forever be grateful. There is nothing comparable to the immense joy that comes from growing up in God's backyard and learning this great tradition that is so much more than just catching a fish.


Susan Farr Fahncke copyright 2003

editor@2theheart.com

I am the founder and editor of 2theheart and I love my job! I am mother to three, wicked stepmother to one and live in Utah. I have authored "Angel's Legacy" and have co-authored other books and have stories in many anthologies. To see more of my work, visit my page on 2TheHeart! http://www.2theheart.com/susan_fahncke



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WRITING WORKSHOP:

We will be having a 4 week Mini-Workshop on Creative Writing, with a strong focus on learning to write more creatively, with fun exercies and assignments, beginning Monday, March 3rd! To register, click here: www.2theheart.com/WritingWorkshops


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The Letter Box:



EMAIL CORRECTION!! The email address posted for Kathy Thielan yesterday is incorrect. If you would like to email Kathy about her story "The Angel Penny", here is her email address: gracedbyu@aol.com

Dear Susan,
The suggestion made by Gramlin99 in your "letters" today melted my heart. The "Adopt Our Troops" program is beautiful. I have a Goddaughter and dear friend who are in the military. I submitted both of their names. The thought of these extra prayers for both of my lkoved ones warms my heart. There is so little we can actually do for our troops at this time Prayer is powerful and a great way to say "Thank You". RoseMary Salzman



Dear Kathy,
How wonderful it is the way that God speaks to us in small ways! We only have to look and be aware to realize this! Your story was a blessing --- thank you!!! God bless, June T. AL



Dear Susan....
Last week I enjoyed every single Valentine story! I love it when you have theme weeks and this one was outstanding! Thank you to all the writers for their beautiful stories! Love, Barbara


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