Second Chances

[Kyle Wright]

What is the one day you wish you could go back and relive, either because it was the best day of your life or because you’d change something that happened?

 

[huntbirdz]

What is the one day you wish you could go back and relive, either because it was the best day of your life or because you’d change something that happened?

Ooohhh....good question Kyle! Hmmm. After pondering I would say that the day I took my two young daughters who were 8 and 6 out with on a dove hunt. They were so excited to go out into the field with me that early morning, we set up and waited. As doves flew overhead, the three of us laughed and talked about silly things. When I did shoot, they ran out and picked up the doves. They had smiles on their faces for the next few hours. They picked flowers and made bracelets out of them and stuffed them in my hat. We ate our packed lunches and told stories. We walked the cut sunflower field in the hopes to flush some birds picking grit or seeds. It was more of a hike with a million questions. I only shot three birds because my attention was on them, but we had a grand time. There were a few more days like that as they grew. They don't hunt, but they love the outdoors. That first day was goooood. Blessed.

 

[Chad Adams]

These boys didn't need a second go — sounds like their dad got it right the first time. But they clearly would trade every possession for another deer camp with dad.

The Best Stuff | Field Ethos

By Kyle Wright It is fascinating to me what goes through a man’s mind when he is preparing…

fieldethos.com

 

[Kyle Wright]

These boys didn't need a second go — sounds like their dad got it right the first time. But they clearly would trade every possession for another deer camp with dad.

The Best Stuff | Field Ethos

By Kyle Wright It is fascinating to me what goes through a man’s mind when he is preparing…

fieldethos.com

Exactly, Chad. Thanks for running that one.

 

[badgererickson]

Memorial Day weekend 2010; I walked away from another one of Dad's drunk tirades, forever. At that point it had been almost 40 years of these, I had driven up to one of our farms with steaks, lumber, and tools for re-building the floors in our tower deer stands that weekend. He was hammered, again, and in one of his infamous tirades of pickin a fight with the world. I re-loaded up the dirt bikes, lumber, left him the groceries and drove off. I *wish* I had maybe just stood there against the truck and let him run out of gas, and pass out, but he was itching for an actual fight and I had just entered the LE Academy. There is NO way more sure to NOT get hired anywhere than to have a DV incident on your record. He died June of '22, of cancer I guess, and the neighbors cleaned out the farm, as my Brother (unknown to me) was in prison for his 7th D.U.I.. Now that I write this out for the first time ever, I'm not sure what the better course of direction would have been!

 

[jacobylovell]

Went through a video game phase for about two years before my Opa passed away in 2018. I wish I had put the controller down and spent more time with him. He was a great hunter and dad to my mom, and I know I could have used a few more times sitting in the deer stand asking him questions about his life. He was a Navy veteran who hitch hiked his way to San Diego from Fredericksburg, Texas to leave behind a family ruined by alcoholism and was one of the first men to arrive in Vietnam. He always felt guilty about not fighting since he was medically discharged due to the asbestos in the ship poisoning his lungs. He was a huge part of my life and I like to think he would be proud of how I turned out.

 

[jacobylovell]

Memorial Day weekend 2010; I walked away from another one of Dad's drunk tirades, forever. At that point it had been almost 40 years of these, I had driven up to one of our farms with steaks, lumber, and tools for re-building the floors in our tower deer stands that weekend. He was hammered, again, and in one of his infamous tirades of pickin a fight with the world. I re-loaded up the dirt bikes, lumber, left him the groceries and drove off. I *wish* I had maybe just stood there against the truck and let him run out of gas, and pass out, but he was itching for an actual fight and I had just entered the LE Academy. There is NO way more sure to NOT get hired anywhere than to have a DV incident on your record. He died June of '22, of cancer I guess, and the neighbors cleaned out the farm, as my Brother (unknown to me) was in prison for his 7th D.U.I.. Now that I write this out for the first time ever, I'm not sure what the better course of direction would have been!

I’m sorry to hear that. My mother’s parents (my Oma and Opa), had childhoods ruined and the relationships with their parents stained due to alcoholism. I am fortunate that they taught me about the dangers of choosing the bottle of family. Hindsight might seem 20/20 but you probably avoided an altercation and in your position, saved your future and career.

 

[badgererickson]

I’m sorry to hear that. My mother’s parents (my Oma and Opa), had childhoods ruined and the relationships with their parents stained due to alcoholism. I am fortunate that they taught me about the dangers of choosing the bottle of family. Hindsight might seem 20/20 but you probably avoided an altercation and in your position, saved your future and career.

Yup, sure did. It's a different kind of "suck" not many talk about; walking away fr the destructive families. Drive on!

 

[Kyle Wright]

Memorial Day weekend 2010; I walked away from another one of Dad's drunk tirades, forever. At that point it had been almost 40 years of these, I had driven up to one of our farms with steaks, lumber, and tools for re-building the floors in our tower deer stands that weekend. He was hammered, again, and in one of his infamous tirades of pickin a fight with the world. I re-loaded up the dirt bikes, lumber, left him the groceries and drove off. I *wish* I had maybe just stood there against the truck and let him run out of gas, and pass out, but he was itching for an actual fight and I had just entered the LE Academy. There is NO way more sure to NOT get hired anywhere than to have a DV incident on your record. He died June of '22, of cancer I guess, and the neighbors cleaned out the farm, as my Brother (unknown to me) was in prison for his 7th D.U.I.. Now that I write this out for the first time ever, I'm not sure what the better course of direction would have been!

I appreciate you sharing this, sir.

I work with those addicted to drugs and alcohol, and in my experience, that’s where most innocent bystanders are left - wondering what the better course of direction might have been.

I would say that the fact you made it through without being an alcoholic yourself is remarkable.

 

[badgererickson]

I appreciate you sharing this, sir.

I work with those addicted to drugs and alcohol, and in my experience, that’s where most innocent bystanders are left - wondering what the better course of direction might have been.

I would say that the fact you made it through without being an alcoholic yourself is remarkable.

Yup, in LE and Corrections we get to see the ENTIRETY of that battle field, from the funny to the tragic. I think I gave Dad about 15+ "Second chances" over those 40 years. Had gone to a bunch of those 12 step meetings for ACOA, etc., where I heard some great wisdom that stuck; You're here for a family member, but just remember it's most likely in your genes too, and leads to an early death/incarceration, or both. Then, I got to see ti first hand putting them into cuffs, and doing death investigations, and next of kin notifiers, etc.. Wife and I were the only ones at Dad's funeral, and I hadn't sen him in over 12 years! Says alot. Drive on in your career path, we NEED you there!