Even though we have known for several months, I thought there would be more time. A week in August fishing for Marlin, an Alaskan Brown Bear hunt, an afternoon shooting doves, going back and finding that Waterbuck… Rick my good friend, hunting and fishing companion, employee and handyman, has almost lost his short battle with pancreatic cancer.

On a hunt in the SAVE in 2006 we took an outstanding Kudu. At 60” and 14.5” bases this Kudu is on a pedestal that requires a 9 foot ceiling to display. When his daughter brought him to the office with this in the back of his truck I knew that his time is quickly fading and he will be passing soon. Just a few weeks ago we were thinking the end of the year.

You have to balance time, work, family, friends and finances, but don’t pass up an opportunity to do something you love or have wanted to do. Time may be shorter than you know. Going back to Africa with someone’s ashes in my pocket will not be the same as going there with them.

I am working out the details for a hunt in Zambia this October of 2011 for the very reasons you have stated.

quote:

Going back to Africa with someone’s ashes in my pocket will not be the same as going there with them.

Damn...

A bittersweet time. . . .

That same senario, but my buddies life was cut short by a driver. Before our first trip to Africa. I toast him every time I am in Africa.

Memories live forever.

Mike

Life is fragile. I am very sorry for you and your friend.

.

Well boys, if I knew I was going to die within a year I would not be going to Africa. I would spend time with friends and family; maybe take some of my "poor friends" on a dream trip. That would be a lot more fun than another trip to Africa.

But since I am not planning on dying soon I am GOING BACK TO AFRICA!!!

No regrets (is a fine approach). What a kudu! May God's presence be felt and I hope you all draw near to Him in this time especially.

Barry

I wish my father had lived long enough for me to be able to afford to take him.

Larry-Same here. When my father was able I did not think I could afford it. I hope and pray I live long enough to be able to take my grandsons.

Your post reminded me of the first animal i took in Africa. Not a very spectacular Impala, but I took it with the gun my Grandfather left me. He always said "someday" we will go on a hunt out west. Yet that hunt never came. Before I touched that old Browning of I said "Poppa this one is yours" the Impala never untracked. I just sat down and cried like a girl. Funny thing was the PH knew the story and was a bit misty as well. We made the recovery, shook hands and did the obligatory pictures. When people see the little straight horned Impala (16") they always ask why it is in a place by itself. I just smile and say "it just belongs"

I will be taking my 13yr old daughter next summer, yes it will mean money will be a little tight, but I have never seen a hearse with a luggage rack. I have made myself a promise to go as often as I can and take a loved one that has never been.

I'm sorry for your loss, but a little envious of your memories. Cherish them, and share Africa with others.

Condolances to you and the rest of the families. Hope your next trip is a great one particularly in honour of your friend.

God bless.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TNJohn:
You have to balance time, work, family, friends and finances, but don’t pass up an opportunity to do something you love or have wanted to do. Time may be shorter than you know. Going back to Africa with someone’s ashes in my pocket will not be the same as going there with them.

/QUOTE]


Isn't that a fact...

I could have and should have gone 10 years ago.

I kept putting it off and accepting my own excuses.

I went this year and now I will likely never seriously hunt American big game again.

Go, you will regret not having gone.

I have a friend that is an accountant and self styled financial guru. Years ago we both talked about going to Africa "someday".

He was saving and "investing" his money for the "big trip" after he retired. Instead of "investing" my money I took two trips to Namibia.

My friend who berated me for "squandering" my hard earned cash lost his ass in the crash and hasn't made back 40% yet.

His health took a turn for the worst and medical expenses have eaten into his savings and earning potential.

He is barely able to take advantage of Montana's ample hunting opportunities. I will be taking off 6 weeks to hunt Montana, can I afford it? Not really, but then again can I afford to postpone it to "someday"? I've had two somewhat serious illnesses since my last safari but my health and finances have both, by the grace of God, made a rather stunning comeback.

Now is the time.

Very sorry to hear this. I hope this short story helps you in some way.

Although I had been to Africa on three previous occassions, I had never gone with my brother. We decided we had to do it. In August 2010, my brother and I spent 2 weeks in South Africa with my son, who turned 12 on the trip. We had a fantastic time together. The many wonderful trophies we took on the trip made it that much more enjoyable.

On the flight home, my brother began to feel very sick. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer (30 tumors all over his body). He passed away in June 2011 at 45 years of age. My family is still very shaken up over it all, however, I can't tell you how fortunate I feel that we took that trip (as well as other more local ones) together.

I agree that life is too short and fragile to put off something that you are capable of doing now. Not everyone is capable of taking such trips, but if you are, do not put them off.

I have another younger brother who is not capable of taking such trips. Instead, my son and I now make a point to take local fishing trips with him every chance we get. I believe we have fished with him at least every other weekend since losing my other brother. We are still spending that crucial time together enjoying what we love to do.

You are very fortunate to have taken wonderful trips with your close friend. I hope that those memories will give you and your friend strength during this terrible time. My thoughts are with you.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts. Especially for thinking about those in your lives that have passed on.

Before my Dad passed I did'nt have two nickels to rub together. A lot has changed in twenty years, but not my fondest memory. Fishing from a rowboat for bass in a Wisconsin lake.

Rick is on a morphine pump and is likely to pass very soon.

quote:

Originally posted by JTEX:
Life is fragile. I am very sorry for you and your friend.

.

well said

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I wish my father had lived long enough for me to be able to afford to take him.

That very same thought has crossed my mind many times Larry!

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:

quote:

Going back to Africa with someone’s ashes in my pocket will not be the same as going there with them.

Damn...

.....wow....I'll second that....Prayers sent.

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I wish my father had lived long enough for me to be able to afford to take him.

That very same thought has crossed my mind many times Larry!

My father doesn't hunt, so for me it was my grandfather. He should have been a PH. Best shot I've ever seen hands down, wicked sense of humor, huge guy, and an avid hunter. I definitely take his spirit with me on my adventures.

Brett

Without being specific to going to Africa.

My motto is "do what you enjoy today. You might not be able to do it tomorrow"

I have seen far too many friends slug it in life, then suddenly fall sick where they are unable to do things they planned on.

quote:

My motto is "do what you enjoy today. You might not be able to do it tomorrow"

I have seen far too many friends slug it in life, then suddenly fall sick where they are unable to do things they planned on.

Agree! Definitions of a fool: The man who has little and spends it all or, the man who has it all and spends little!

The latter part of that is directed towards those with the means to do things, but are too tight to do it!

I thank the lord every day that at 48 my "bucket list" is for the most part all finished!...Time to do it all again!!!

LOL!

For many of the same reason mentioned above, my son and I are leaving for Zim. in less than 6 weeks. The timing is probably not the best, but the heck with it. We are going to have a great time.

I will not regret one minute or dollar that I spend to get to spend this much one on one time with my son.

Hartley

Very to hear of your loss.

In August of 09 I lost my Brother-in-Law. In July of '10 I lost two Grandchildren and my best friend. In July of this year, I lost my Mother and my Father-in-Law.

Our time is so, so short.

My dad was diagnosed with cancer in May of 2000 and given 6 months. He beat it. We are going on our second Africa trip next year.

A good scuba diving buddy of mine ( 49 years old, retired marine, avid shooter, avid hunter, very active guy) was diagnosed with ALS in early 2009. by the time they determined it was ALS, he was already using a cane to walk. Within 8 months he was in a wheel chair. At 14 months he was pretty much unable to move, and we could barely hear him when he tried to talk. by 16 months he was unable to talk at all and could only move his neck. He passed away in May of this year.

Before he even knew what he had, it was too late to go do many of the things he would have liked to have done.

Let the opportunities not pass you by. Act on them while you can.

It may not be the most fiscally prudent act to go on Safari next year, but I'm not going to miss a chance to explore DG with my dad!

I'm so sorry that your friend passed away. I am glad you both got to hunt together in Africa.

I have recently come down with a heart condition, so I am in the process of going down my bucket list. I lived hard through my middle 30s, did a lot of exciting things, got married at 36 and have a wonderful wife and two sons (one in college, the other just about to finish his four years with the Rangers). I really couldn't afford a guided hunt until recently, raising my family took priority as it should.

I took the family to Italy this summer, I'm going brown bear hunting a week from Saturday and plan to take the whole family to Africa probably two years from now on a plains game safari (maybe get a buffalo or tuskless elephant too). I'd rather hunt less expensive species and take the whole family than do an expensive DG hunt by myself so I'll have to figure it out. My wife is going to the SCI convention in Vegas with me this winter so we'll be window shopping at least ...

I'm glad you're honoring your friend by taking his ashes to Africa. That's a wonderful, if sad thing ...

Sorry to read this John. Glad you spent good times with your friend.

quote:

Originally posted by chuck375:
............................................. I'd rather hunt less expensive species and take the whole family than do an expensive DG hunt by myself so I'll have to figure it out. ............................

+1 Now that is a thought that is really worth repeating!

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

Very sorry to hear about your friend.

I related a similiar experience on another post of mine. As was already been related, if you can do it, and it does not compromise your family, do it!

From my friends death, I decided to go to Africa. Now, I'll be taking the family and my father. I don't really care how many animals I shoot, it will be for them. The experience with family will be better than the trophy's.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring!!!

I share the same sentiments, and will return as often as I can afford to, especially since.my wife has fallen in love with Africa too. So much more special since I got to share it with her...

This is why my father and I are going back to Africa this year;

andwhy he and my mother took the entire family on vacation to renew their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary;

and why my wife and my mother never argue about our going hunting;

and why my tag line (one that I have used ever since Al Gore invented the Internet, email and caused Global warming) says what it does ...

Don't wait until tomorrow ...