Ever Been Happy & Sad?

[twyacht]

Well, my 14 year old son has left to go home to NC. Story short & sweet, his mother and I divorced 11 years ago and we have joint custody. Legal terms that suck IMHO. But I see him often.

Anyway, he was here for almost a month, and has never shot his great grandfathers 1891 Mauser. He has shot other "smaller" stuff, but not the 7.65 x 54. He fondled it but never really "enjoyed" it.

We did a lot of things but the trip to the range really made me proud. I thought I would share a few pics to a fellow "kid" who (thanks to me), is starting to get it.


Shooting my Sig 556, which because it's black and has a scope, and big mag, is just down right awesome.


My Ruger 10/22 cause it's black with a scope and a big mag, recoil is non-existant, and he is going to outshoot me one day...


His Great Grandfather's Mauser for the first time, at 75 and 100 yds. fixed sights. He said it made his shoulder sore but asked for another stripper clip to keep shooting. (Chip off the old block IMHO).


Pic of the back of his head, and for this forum: a pic DOWNRANGE!


Of course since it was the 4th of July, had to get some pre-Brady "stuff"..

They grow up so fast, his voice has permanently changed now, he wears my shoes, , will outshoot me at this rate. And is an NRA Eddie Eagle alumni and member,, thanks to me, not my ex,,...

Thanks for letting me share, of course, the cleaning of the guns after the range brought some whining, but he did it, than cut the grass, emptied the dishwasher, washed my truck, and ate me out of house and home....

Gives me hope. Also makes me Happy & Sad that I won't see him till fall...

Thanks for the chance to post. Here's a silly pic at the beach I grew up on, with a teenager who, of course, knows everything...

[deepwater]

glad to see he's enjoying the sport. and safely..
I'm hoping to get my stepson into shooting, but I honestly don't know if he's ready to actually shoot. he too is 14, but hasn't grown up the way most of us have. way overprotected by his grandmother until recently and it takes time to fix that. when he's a little more mature I may get him something to shoot with. we'll see.
anyway, nice pics!

[Timothy]

Nice pics Tom....my daughter is 24 and even she doesn't mind spending time with the old man once in a while.

Seems like your doing fine considering.  Hang in there!

Tim

[fightingquaker13]

Great post TW and I sort of feel happy and sad as well. Its gonna be a tough summer, but, judging by the look of pure destructive mischief on his face with those fireworks, you done good. Just KEEP HIM AWAY FROM MINI-HAZ! I like Florida above sea level thank you.
FQ13

[Teresa Heilevang]

Well there are no words that I can say that will put words into what I feel when I see a dad and son together. I just smile all over and get a lump in my chest...
I always have said, the best way to win my heart is to love my kids.
I think sometimes it comes natural to most /some/ mothers to have a bond with their children. I think that sometimes Dads have to try a bit harder in certain areas..Looks liek you are succeeding in that area.. Good for you ( and him)
You have a wonderful looking son tw... ( and to be honest you are mighty fine eye candy yourself ) I know you are proud of him and will miss him liek crazy ..especially after having him rattling around in the house for a month.
Its not the "amount of time you have.. it is what you do WITH that time , that will make bonding memories.
 When he gets to come back in the fall , please take pictures and up date us. They grow up so darn fast that I am sure he will have changed some more in a few months.

[Sponsor]

[Pathfinder]

Teenagers are masters at eating you out of house and home. Great story TW, very cool time for all. Hang in there, it gets better. And BTW, you will find you get smarter as they get older! 

[jaybet]

There's nothing like having a good time with your kids.

[shooter32]

Great pics TW. I promise he will never forget the time he spends with you!! Spending time with him and just being "dad" is what means the most. Having three boys I know what it's like to be eaten out of house and home!!

[PegLeg45]

TW, great post.
My brother goes through the same thing with his two kids, and we don't get to see them as often as we'd like.
It looks in the pics, and your post, that you did well at maximizing his visit to the fullest.
I'm glad for you.


The 'eating out of house and home' seems to be a common thread with many of us here.
Our 24 year old is married and out, but when he visits, he eats the whole time. Our 18 year old is 6' tall and only weighs 130 lbs, but he eats continuously. Like my grandpa used to say, I tell everyone that 'he eats so much that it makes him poor to tote it'.

[Hazcat]

Great thread TW.  Next time he's down take him pig  huntin (PM me and I'll send ya a link).