Hunting is in the air
I finally took a weekend off and went home to spend time with my family and go deer hunting.
Hunting is a tradition my family has been a part of for as long as I can remember.
My aunt, uncle and cousins all come up for a long weekend of deer hunting, visiting and a little social drinking.
There are only a few things that I enjoy more than this time of year.
I get to relax and spend some much-needed time with my brother and dad while walking across the North Dakota countryside, trying to find the perfect deer.
It’s the ultimate relaxation time for me. Getting home, however, isn’t a relaxing process.
First, I have to request time off at Granite City.
Weekends are when I make the most money and work the most so it’s not as easy as it seems.
Then I have to make sure I can get all my stories in by my deadline on Sunday.
This also can be a hassle because I don’t have the convenience of my own work area like I do in Fargo.
Going home is something I hardly ever get to do these days, so when I do get to go home, I try not to let small worries get to me.
This is my family time and nothing can come between my family and me.
In addition to seeing my family, hunting really is the reason I have to go home this weekend.
I had a doe tag, which I (with the help of my dad) shot on Saturday evening.
Nothing beats the thrill of knowing you accomplished your goal.
I know that some students will read this, unhappy in the fact that I like to shoot animals, but those students need to understand that where I’m from it’s a way of life.
For me, it’s not so much the actual hunt that keeps me coming back, but more for the time that I spend with the guys in my life: my dad, brother, uncle and cousin.
Girls can go shopping or talk on the phone for hours.
Guys don’t like doing this so it’s hard to keep a strong connection with my dad and brother.
Don’t get me wrong, going out on a lunch date and a few drinks with the girls also makes the weekend totally worthwhile.
But being “one of the guys” every once and a while is also something I’ve come to cherish over the years.
It’s a bond I hope to continue for years to come.
No matter how difficult it is for me to come home, or how many managers or co-workers are upset because I’m not around to do the job I’m supposed to be doing, I will always keep my priorities straight, which include my family.
It’s the small things like hunting or whatever you do with your family that helps make that special connection and keeps a family close.
I hope everyone takes time to find what their family enjoys doing together.