Returning the favor
My dad introduced me to fishing when I was a kid, and even though he didn’t seem to love it, he enjoyed taking me and giving me the opportunity to find out if it was something I liked enough to keep doing. He was good about that, with all sorts of activities.
With five kids in the family to feed and clothe, we didn’t have a whole lot in terms of toys, but we did lots of stuff together. I remember going to turkey shoots, sporting clays facilities, basketball, badminton, tennis, and all the other sports. I found the ones I excelled out and put more time into those than others, but I always felt like I had a good foundation in a wide variety of activities, thanks to him introducing me to so many.
Fishing always called to me, and once I was too old to play any of the sports competitively any longer, it’s what I’ve spent the most time doing.
Dad gave up fishing pretty easily once he and my mom got involved in bowling leagues, but he was always interested in hearing stories of my fishing adventures.
And then on Father’s Day a few years ago, I asked him to go fishing with me at a friend’s pond. I gave him the lures I’d always had luck with at this pond, and pointed out the best spots, then allowed him first cast at all of them. He caught a few fish, I caught a few fish, and we had a good time. But what really stood out to me the most was how old and worn down he’d become, and how difficult it was for him just to make a cast. It made me regret not inviting him to fish with me much sooner.
I took a photo of him with a bass, which he said was the first one he’d caught in more than 30 years. He’s awkwardly smiling and holding the bass, reminding me of a photo he took of me, many years ago, with one of the first fish I ever caught. I’m not sure he’ll ever catch another.
I’ve struggled with the thought of taking him fishing again. I’m sure he’d love it, but his health has been in a steady decline since that last time we went. He’s up there in age, and I’m just not sure I want to see him struggle to do things that once came so easily for him.
But then again, it’s not all about me and my fears. He took me when I was too young to do any of it without his help. He introduced me to what became a lifelong passion. It’s selfish of me to not share that with him as often as possible until the days run out. Father’s Day is coming up. I’m taking my dad fishing. How about you?
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