Today's the day we in South Dakota look forward to each year, and today is the day Emma has looked forward to since she was little! It's the opening day of pheasant season, and her first day of being an actual pheasant hunter. She has taken and passed the Hunter's Safety Course. She has her license. She has her gun, which has been fitted specifically for her. She has her camo overalls and sweatshirt, and her orange vest that her mom got her for her birthday. She has her dog, Chance. And she has her Papa, her mentor and hunting companion. (He will also be doing the driving...for a while, anyway!)
As you might guess, today is about more than shooting birds. It is about being out in the SD autumn day--and it looks like it might be a nice day, once the fog dissipates. It's about stopping for pop and snacks. It's about watching Chance do his favorite activity, which he also looks forward to all year. But most of all, it's about that time a girl, almost a teenager, can spend alone with a kind, loving man, whom she trusts--her grandpa. I'm sure they will joke around, and her papa will tell her stories about his hunting experiences: about Nick, and Skeet, about Molly, Lexie, Scooter, Katie--all the dogs we have had over the years--probably even Jaquie, the poodle he used to own. Emma will tell him some of the things currently on her mind, such as the Halloween dance coming up next Friday at her middle school! (Yikes! I hope he will give her some advice!)
All in all, it will be a time for a girl and her grandpa to spend time together before the days and years get away from them, and she grows up--which will happen way too soon!
And if they can get a bird or two, all the better. But just in case, I'll have some chili waiting here at home!
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