Tomorrow at 1:00pm I am helping my Mom put my Dad into a home that cares for dementia patients. We have tried many things but he has gotten violent with my Mom. My Dad is 85 and grew up in Grass Valley California where he could start hunting out of the back door of his house. I am trying to spell correctly, but even with spell check, the tears get in the way. He didn't spend the time to teach me to hunt until later in life. He was busy with his friends. I wish that he had started earlier with me. You Dads now that have children of any age, teach them how to hunt now and make them a priority while you have the time. Spend time with them. Make them feel special. We spent a lot of time in Wyoming hunting antelope. Special times. When we were trying to get my own Son off of drugs, we took him to Wyoming to learn the joy and art of hunting. Between hunting and God, my son has turned into an amazing person. He saw my Dad in a totally different light while hunting. He now loves to shoot and hunt. He loves his Grandpa. The reason for the post here, Dad loved to hunt here in the USA. I have a post in the classified section about his lifetime hunting trophy mount collection. And the real reason to post here is to brag a bit about him even though he has this terrible disease. I love and honor him!

Good advice and strength to you all.

Hard to take and hard to read.
A man should be proud of his dad
its just the ways things are ment to be.
In turn
Be the dad, your son can be proud of...

Sounds like you both meet the mark
Bet your mom would say so...
A prayer offered

GaryG......... I feel your pain. Went through that last year myself. Bless you all, it is a tough thing to deal with.

You take care mate.

I became a dad at 40.

My two older ones - girl & boy shot their first rabbits when they were about 10. They ahve both accompanied me on doe hu8nts and seen me shoot a fallow doe.

I took my 13 year old rabbit shooting back of our palce last week. I promised to take him deer stalking this year ....

Prayers to you and your family, that is really a painful situation to have to deal with.

My Dad never did much hunting, I was born in 1950, just a short time after his 54th. birthday, he was born in 1897. By the time I got up old enough to hunt he was in his 70's.

We did do a lot of fishing together and even though he spent the last five years or so in a nursing home due to a broken he never really got over, he was still at himself when he died just short of his 92nd. birthday. I feel lucky in that he did not have the mental deterioration that affected his younger sister and my Mom before she died.

It is so difficult to watch someone that did everything that could for you when you were growing up, end up not remembering who you are.

They are even robbed of the memories and it is a hard thing to witness those we love and that mean so much to us in that shape.

Cherish the memories of how things were and the good times you and your son shared with him.

quote:

Originally posted by GaryG:
You Dads now that have children of any age, teach them how to hunt now and make them a priority while you have the time. Spend time with them. Make them feel special.

I'm sorry to hear about your father's situation. My great-grandfather suffered from the same illness and he exhibited the same violent symptoms that you mention.

Thanks for posting this Gary. It is important that we are reminded to focus on what is important from time to time.

Sucks, I know...My dad has dementia also, it really changes a person. My father is pleasent and has his moments...but is not the same person he was. I will send up a prayer for you tonight too...I know its tough!

Ed

Sorry to hear about your dad.
My father past 8 years ago but the last 10 years of his life we hunted and fished all over what a great life we shared.
Larry
Prayers with you

Gary, you have my sympathy and best wishes. And my thanks for the vivid reminder of the importance of family in this great adventure we call hunting. I feel blessed to have hunted with my dad since my pre-teen years. I still make it a point to hunt at least once per year with him (should be more I know). I also haul my kids (3, 7, 10 yo) along every opportunity. You give me even more incentive to continue both practices.

All the best to you and yours.
Troy

Prayers to you and your family.

Well said, Gary - I will take that to heart.

God bless & best wishes; most of all, enjoy the good memories you have, for in time they will become the lasting ones...

friar

There's nothing I can say except good luck. It'll be tough but you will get through this.
Prayers for you and your family.

Nice tribute. Dementia is hard for all involved. Best to you and your dad.