Hunting Stories and $36,150
Thank You.
Together, you guys donated $36,150 to be given to the families of the young men who lost their lives in a plane crash, on one of the saddest days in Down East history.
Jonathan Kole McInnis. Noah Lee Styron. Michael Daily Shepherd. Jacob Nolan Taylor.
Thank you to Adrian Wood, also known for Tales of an Educated Debutante, for diving in, once she heard about my blog, to partner with me to provide multiple avenues for people to make donations. Thanks to Monica Willis Smith from Miss Gina’s Fresh Shrimp for doing the same. And I’m especially thankful for my wife Ashley as she helped me along the way. You ladies have a huge heart!
There were amounts given that ranged from $5.00 - $4,000.00 and every single amount donated was received by the parents with such humility and gratitude.
And while no amount of money could ever replace what these families have lost, our heart was simply to help provide some sort of relief from the every day financial burdens of life, so the families could focus on their grief and healing. Thank you for helping ease a little of those pressures.
My heart was moved, every single time I would receive a notification of another person who gave. Every few days, Adrian and I would touch base about our updated totals and I would again be reminded of the awesomeness of people all across our communities and beyond.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
No one had to give anything.
But you did.
You gave so much.
And it will never be forgotten.
I consider myself honored to have had the unique opportunity to witness first hand, such a beautiful outpouring of support, not just through YOUR generosity, but also through the incredibly successful raffles put on by Lookout Grocery in Smyrna and Chasin’ Tails Outdoors Fish and Tackle in Atlantic Beach. I have never been more proud to be a part of our community. You guys are the best. The absolute best there has ever been. Without any hesitation, businesses and restaurants from all over Carteret County, donated their specialty services and goods for a greater purpose in those raffles and they did such a wonderful job raising support for the families.
CONFESSION TIME
I didn't grow up in a family of hunters. My background when it comes to hunting is not extensive.
I once shot a bird perched on top of a bush at my Papa Carter’s house, and the instant it fell to the ground my heart dropped. I felt so guilty. As I neared my “kill” it started to flap around on the ground, eventually getting to it’s feet and stumbling away, finally flying off. I guess it was a good thing that I only had the single pump version of that BB Gun!
My second attempt at hunting probably would have gotten me in a lot of trouble if my Granny Annie knew what I was up too. This time I had the version of a BB Gun that you pump before you shoot. I knew that 10 pumps or more would get me the most bang for my buck. So after attempting again to take out squirrels and birds, I set my sights on bigger game. Standing on Papa Heath and Granny Annie’s back porch, with the screen door propped open on my leg, I looked down the scope at a HUGE cow that was grazing just on the other side of their property in a field. Knowing that my hunting skills were incredibly weak, and needing verification that I could actually hit something, I quickly scanned my surroundings to make sure there were no witnesses to what was about to go down. Feeling in the clear, I quickly pumped that BB Gun with the pressure building as I neared 10 pumps. And then 11. And 12. And finally, lucky number 13. I took a deep breath and then squeezed the trigger.
*Picture is not actual cow shot 25 years ago
If you have never witnessed a cow jump off the ground before, it’s a really cool thing to see. Moooooooooo!!! That cow moo’d as loud as it could, jumped straight off the ground and took off across that field. I quickly and quietly shut that screen door, stowed away my BB Gun, grabbed a honey bun from the basket off the top of their microwave and sat down in the recliner across from Granny Annie as she watched Bob Barker on The Price is Right.
A hunter I am not. But after these last few weeks, I feel a pull to give it another chance. Maybe, because like so many of us, I feel connected to these young men now. A way to honor their lives and what they loved doing. A way to start a new tradition and legacy with my own boys. A way to connect with the creator through nature.
I am officially on the prowl for my first shotgun right now (about a month ago, my friend Jamie took me out to shoot one for the first time in my life) so any advice ya have, bring it on! I promise not to shoot any cows. Well, at least not on purpose!
Honestly, I just want to honor these young men and become one of many to continue their legacy.
Their lives were way shorter than what any of us would have ever wished for them. The road ahead for their families will be one that I simply can’t imagine. But I know they will not have to face it alone. I know that God is always with them and that He will continue to use people just like you to be conduits of His love as well. At just the right time to deliver just what is needed.
Again, thank you. Thanks for giving. Thanks for praying. Thanks for loving.
I believe we are truly #bettertogether with each other and the Lord.
$36,150
WOW!
