Hi guys,

Something happens every now and again that touches our hearts... Well, I had one of those moments just now which I would like to share with you... I hope it will not bore you and if it does please just hit the "back" or "ignore" button...

Background is this:

I am the father of a daughter who does not live with me permanently... she lives with her Mother and gets to visit me mostly during school holidays (like now). She loves the bush, loves hunting and was accepted into a prominent girl school where she has just finished her first year of High School with good grades... She is 14...

Of course things can get quite boring for a girl of 14 on a farm... At this age they're more into boys, malls and other activities than tending to horses, other animals and enjoying farm life...

Ashley just gave me something to read and doing so brought a tear or two to my eye... I am posting this without any editing (pls remember she is 14 and English is not her first language) as I believe the original message comes across much better that way. Therefore - please excuse the typos and grammatical errors but I think most will enjoy her little article as well...


Everybody remembers when they were kids how their parents would tell them stories about when they themselves were kids and what they were up to, even stories about work and the responsibilities of life. These stories would be about how not to work in the bank and how you should never be in your bosses bad books,and don’t ever be late for work or you will face the consequences. Well that doesn’t work like that when your dad is a Professional hunter. When your dad is a PH then the stories are quite different, in the sense of hearing about hunts and trips all over Africa. I love to hear about my dad’s hunts and what exiting news he has to tell. Having a three hour drive to Limpopo is the best time to tell stories and pass time as fast as possible.My favourite stories are about all our animals, what they have been up to and destroyed on our ranch. Hearing about Walker our hunting dog that had yet another good hunt .One story that I particularly love is the following; like always it was a really hot summer’s day in Limpopo. As it got darker there were a few dry thunder storms “which is not normally out of the ordinary”. As the storm got worse a piece of my Dad’s Neighbour’s farm caught fire, “this is not really normal as one would say”. As the fire grew my Dad was one of the very unlucky people whose farm was next in line to the fire. The fire spread to a piece of our farm across the road and that is when all chaos broke loose in the Troskie house. My darling stepmother got in a panic attack “normal for any woman who thinks her house, animals and she would be killed“. Sabina started to pack the bags and rounded up all the animals to load into the car. When the bags, four dogs, parrot and Sabina was in the car, Dad finally came out of the house with his heavy packed bag which contained the following: one whiskey glass, another whiskey glass and his rifles “that was it, that was the three most valuable items he thought he needed if he was going to get out alive “. Just when they were about to drive off the wonder of rain came. At least no house was burned down, no animals were killed and my Dad and Sabina were alive and safe. The only inconvenience was to move back in to the house. It is so funny to see my Dads face as he tells the story and, you can really hear the emotion in my dad’s voice when he tells the story on how it happened. As he tells the story I imagine myself being there. No matter what story it is, it is always entertaining and fun to watch as he tells it. When we arrive home Sabina is in the living room with dad’s handgun, Dad torch and all of the dogs surrounding her . Her face lifts up and she is relived that no hand gun will be used or needed for anything. Even though I have only been on two hunts with my Dad I can see every time he has a client whether it is in a big or small group or even just him and one client he is always friendly,helping ,giving and do is best to make the client happy and goes out of his way to make it enjoyable and successful for each one of the people. I have seen lifelong friends been made between my dad and a clients. Rest assured you will go home happy and I and a memory that will keep a life time. Without blinking I can say I have the coolest and best dad ever.

Nice story. I can only hope that my daughter will think of me as the coolest dad ever when she' 14.

You have made a great and lasting impression on your daughter. Congrats.


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quote:

Nice story. I can only hope that my daughter will think of me as the coolest dad ever when she' 14.

Working hard to make sure of this very thing.

Good story Chris, raising a kid right is it's own reward.

I think you need to hire her to write your hunting brochures.

Chris Nice story, love to have my daughter also tell about her dad, but if you was not in a bush fire, you wont know the feeling!

Great Story. Thanks for sharing

You have done your job exceedingly well.


Dutch

A great read. Congrats to you.

Oh, I like what you decided to save should the fire reach your home.

Your daughter sounds like a wonderful sweetheart!

Sounds like you have a really great relationship with your daughter.

Chris,

I enjoyed the story! It's nice that your daughter is proud of her dad and thinks what he does for his livelyhood is cool! And isn't "too grown up" to let you know!

Glad Sabrisa did not burn!

Merry Christmas and my best to Sabina,

jpj3

Chris from one Dad to the other, outstanding. One always wonders if we did our job right.

The best,

Mike

great story & a wonderful girl.

I did not make it on the "coolest dad" list but was on the "greates dad" title. She is now almost 16 and the joys and travails continue!