Keep in touch with those who count

[hpshooter]

I have seen a few threads similar to this in the past and I will do my best to keep this short and concise.

Tomorrow I turn 69 and should have a good number of years of shooting left but today one of my best shooting partners who is 76 is in a care facility and completely unaware of who his family is or who any of his long time associates are. Only the Lord knows what he is aware of that he cannot communicate to any one and what anguish that must generate in his mind if it still functions.

His condition has gone steadily downhill for the past 6 years and took a dive off the cliff in February of this year. He was an accomplished engineer and we shot together since the early 80's in most rim fire and center fire disciplines. We traveled to matches together, RO'd in USPSA matches, shot high power, PPC and bulls eye together.

The point is this, never take the people who count in your life for granted. There is no guarantee of how long any of us will be functional. Savor the moment and let them know they count. He knew how important he was to our family but I am seeing the level of disappointment others who worked and shot with him and kept putting off checking on him or visiting him are having for not letting him know that he was important to them also.

The people I have meet and known in 60 years of being a mediocre to average shooter are what make me keep shooting and constantly working to improve. Apply the thoughts as you see fit.

 

[Riesel]

I have seen a few threads similar to this in the past and I will do my best to keep this short and concise.

Tomorrow I turn 69 and should have a good number of years of shooting left but today one of my best shooting partners who is 76 is in a care facility and completely unaware of who his family is or who any of his long time associates are. Only the Lord knows what he is aware of that he cannot communicate to any one and what anguish that must generate in his mind if it still functions.

His condition has gone steadily downhill for the past 6 years and took a dive off the cliff in February of this year. He was an accomplished engineer and we shot together since the early 80's in most rim fire and center fire disciplines. We traveled to matches together, RO'd in USPSA matches, shot high power, PPC and bulls eye together.

The point is this, never take the people who count in your life for granted. There is no guarantee of how long any of us will be functional. Savor the moment and let them know they count. He knew how important he was to our family but I am seeing the level of disappointment others who worked and shot with him and kept putting off checking on him or visiting him are having for not letting him know that he was important to them also.

The people I have meet and known in 60 years of being a mediocre to average shooter are what make me keep shooting and constantly working to improve. Apply the thoughts as you see fit.

This a subject that often moves us but do nothing about. Don't let that happen to you as some day you may be the one that has lost a partner to
the terribleness of losing ones memory. Tell them now and tell them often how much they mean to you. And if it's your Mom or Wife, send flowers just for the heck of it.

 

[walley2960]

A

This a subject that often moves us but do nothing about. Don't let that happen to you as some day you may be the one that has lost a partner to
the terribleness of losing ones memory. Tell them now and tell them often how much they mean to you. And if it's your Mom or Wife, send flowers just for the heck of it.

Amen brothers!

 

[1S2K]

A sobering and sensible thought. Today is the only day we have to let the people we care about know they are meaningful to us. How sad to let it pass and live with the regret of missed opportunities.

 

[nmkid]

69!! Tomorrow I turn 71. Funny how as one gets older the days get shorter.

 

[NorCalMikie]

T
As we get older, the days get shorter, MUCH FASTER!! Got a couple of "older" friends that I try to keep in contact with. If fact, one called me last night. We talked for almost an hour.He "use" to be my brother in law, but that was maybe 60+ years ago. Funny how time fly's! I remembered stuff that he had forgotten. It came back to him after I mentioned it.
Got another friend that has medical issues and we "use" to go shooting on a regular basis. (my brother from another mother) Now, we only get together once in a great while. THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE!! If you've got someone you care about, tell them and look them in the eye every chance you get. Next thing you know, they're gone and you lost your chance.

 

[spclark]

Funny how as one gets older the days get shorter.

No, it's NOT!!! (Happy B'Day BTW!!)

I'm a few days past 2 months turning 67, there's a BUNCH of stuff I still want to do... if my body will cooperate.

Younger guys take everything for granted. I know I did; I'm glad I've survived this long! There were more than a few incidents that put me at risk - let me assure you - in getting to this point.

 

[dcali]

I have a bunch of hobbies. Shooting is the only one where people take the time to post stuff like this. That says a lot about the individuals involved. Thank you for the reminder.

 

[yotehater]

T.W., a bittersweet birthday for you as many of us have experienced.
Shooting and hunting friends are most often more reliable and loyal than family. I know mine are.
I often try to figure out who I'm going to will my guns and gear to since family has no interest other than the worth of it. If your friend has any memory left I'd bet you are front and center.
Thanks for reminding us to be the best friends that we can be.

 

[Eddie Harren]

I just turned 69 as well. I try to stay in touch with my shooting buddies as much as possible. Most of them are several years older than me. Within the last 2 years I have lost 3 of them.
I've pretty much given up shooting IBS score matches. But, I'll be at Thurmont on Sat. to visit some old friends who are coming to the "Bud Pryor Memorial Match" this weekend.
PS Getting old aint for sissies.

 

[BP1]

69!! Tomorrow I turn 71. Funny how as one gets older the days get shorter.

Funny you say that my son which is 12 told that very thing yesterday.

 

[FN in MT]

I'm still a pup...a mere 65 yoa.

I have started doing things that I have put off for years; started shooting LR Precision rifle 3 years back. Love it.

Recently started shooting Steel Challenge every Tuesday, practice night. I bring out a different pair of revolvers or semi autos each week. I have some fun and the safe queens see some USE. I'm the oldest shooter there but occasionally better the youngsters...THAT is REALLY fun!

I agree...each day is precious.

 

[rachjake]

72 for me tomorrow - - - -

 

[jonbearman]

59 in august. I just lost a friend who had leukemia and a week after I saw him he was gone. So I get exactly what you mean. Great post because we have to appreciate whom we know because we are here on planet earth for to short of a time.

 

[stacy]

45 YRS YOUNG THANK GOD EVERY DAY FOR THE SPORT THAT WE ALL LOVE ALSO FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FELLOWS SHOOTERS!!!!!!!

 

[johnmyers]

T
As we get older, the days get shorter, MUCH FASTER!! Got a couple of "older" friends that I try to keep in contact with. If fact, one called me last night. We talked for almost an hour.He "use" to be my brother in law, but that was maybe 60+ years ago. Funny how time fly's! I remembered stuff that he had forgotten. It came back to him after I mentioned it.
Got another friend that has medical issues and we "use" to go shooting on a regular basis. (my brother from another mother) Now, we only get together once in a great while. THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE!! If you've got someone you care about, tell them and look them in the eye every chance you get. Next thing you know, they're gone and you lost your chance.

Good for you, I do the same. We will be there before we know it

 

[savagedasher]

77 here . Not only have I lost 5 of my-very best friends. But almost all I was friends with from raceing and archery. My very best friend I lost 5 years ago.
If it wasn't for shooting I would had anyone.
Now I'm the youngest of new friends. That isn't true Eric Bostrom is younger. Jim is older Bob is the old man.
I have shot more bullets in the last 5 years then I did in the 72 previous. Nothing means more to me then a hug.
The only thing that matters in life is to realize how much family and friend matter. Larry

 

[Shynloco]

Happy Birthday to all the"youngsters" out there. This is a topic that is near and dear to me. Most of my best and closest friends are fellow shooters who I met along the roads of target shooting over the years. And I'm happy to say, by virtue of this very blog, I've developed some friendships around the US with some friends, who share my love of target shooting. And we even gab on the phone regularly, bringing each other up to date on what's happening mostly on the shooting line. And yes we too are knocking on the door of 70 (or more) and therefore have common thoughts and values. Comparing notes is important as sometime, minor details seem to get lost as our brain drawers are either full or other unimportant information has tried to seep in, like politics that distresses us, in terms of the effect of IDIOTS on our great country. But true friend stay friends and keep in contact, if only to check on each other's status and see if there is something we can do to help one another enjoy life a tad more. So keep the faith guys and remember, we aren't really any older than we allow ourselves to be...except when we get out of bed in the morning and feel something we never even knew we'd be feeling. Happy shooting and stay safe!

Alex

 

[Hosted]

I'm a young gun at 32 but was in an accident a year and a half ago that almost took my life. I have some problems that remind me of this every minute of the day and it sure changed my perspective on life. It has made me a much better dad and friend. It has taught me who my real friends are and made me reach out to others. It's amazing how fast the last 10 years have went and i know it's only going to go faster.

 

[370bc]

I have seen a few threads similar to this in the past and I will do my best to keep this short and concise.

Tomorrow I turn 69 and should have a good number of years of shooting left but today one of my best shooting partners who is 76 is in a care facility and completely unaware of who his family is or who any of his long time associates are. Only the Lord knows what he is aware of that he cannot communicate to any one and what anguish that must generate in his mind if it still functions.

His condition has gone steadily downhill for the past 6 years and took a dive off the cliff in February of this year. He was an accomplished engineer and we shot together since the early 80's in most rim fire and center fire disciplines. We traveled to matches together, RO'd in USPSA matches, shot high power, PPC and bulls eye together.

The point is this, never take the people who count in your life for granted. There is no guarantee of how long any of us will be functional. Savor the moment and let them know they count. He knew how important he was to our family but I am seeing the level of disappointment others who worked and shot with him and kept putting off checking on him or visiting him are having for not letting him know that he was important to them also.

The people I have meet and known in 60 years of being a mediocre to average shooter are what make me keep shooting and constantly working to improve. Apply the thoughts as you see fit.

Two topics i rarely see discussed is personal responsibility for one's own health, and religion.
I joined a health club in the mid nineties. Pool, Jacuzzi, sauna. It costs me a dollar a day to be a member. The jacuzzi and pool alone makes me feel 10-20 years younger. (Im turning 57 in 4 days.) It improves physical as well as mental health.
Saw a gentleman the other day and asked him how old he was. He said he was going to be 91. He was rehabbing his shoulders after undergoing rotator cuff surgery and heading to the pool. No cane or anything.
http://tinyurl.com/ctyp2p3 As an ex-member of the RCC, I realize now how precious life can be. To be indoctrinated as a child to be raised believing that death is just an illusion is damaging and dangerous. (See Islamic suicide bombers). The only real heaven is the one we are living in in the here and now. I would rather be educated about the real world around myself than believing w/o any evidence in supernatural, superstitious nonsense. Every moment, second is a miracle in itself. And that's wonderful enough.