I would be a chitload better husband and father. I allowed my 'need' for solitude in the field to have precedent over time with family. I'd work long hours in construction all week so my family had all they needed and spend the weekends with a pack, gun, rod, binos... I was a great guy, didn't drink, go to the bar, chase women, beat the kids... I was an idiot... One year I decided I would hunt every weekend from August archery deer to Feb javalina, birds, bear, varmint calling, elk, whatever... I almost made it, I only missed two weekends... looking back I can see what I really missed. My wife would joke to other people that she saved me from being a hermit... hey, she knew how I was before we got married... what a self absorbed pigfucking excuse. After 20 years I took her on my elk hunt, then my antelope hunt, then packing in to coues hunt, soon any hunt she wanted to. I'm the one who lost out those early years.
I really failed as a father, that is my legacy... sins of the father. I refuse to fail anymore as a husband and won't as a grandfather... it'll never be enough. Kent
This is a fine and genuinely introspective man being more openly honest than most would dare. My time with him, although too short, has been of great value. Even though understanding much of why he deems himself a "failure" as a father, I cannot agree with that assessment for, in my aging eyes, there is too much evidence to the contrary. As some know from time well spent, he has proved his excellent mettle in may other ways. A very congruent person, as evidenced by his post.
Also - John - very good thread.
