Recently I had a chance to go duck hunting, thanks to my long time friend and dentist Keith Broome (an amazingly kind, faithful, and talented guy). \u00a0It’s been at least 35-40 years since I’ve hunted, and this was my first time duck hunting. \u00a0It brought back lots of childhood memories of my dad taking me rabbit hunting. \u00a0Those were very special times. \u00a0Reflecting back know, it strikes me that these were special trips\u00a0because daddy was sharing with me something he loved and was good at. \u00a0Whether a cold holiday morning, or a Thursday afternoon after school (Thursday’s were his day off), we would ride in his old Ford Falcon with the beagles in tow to the countryside. \u00a0We would sometimes listen to them chase rabbits for hours. \u00a0Somehow, magically, he would always know where to position me so that a rabbit would come wondering close by, hundreds of yards ahead of the beagles. \u00a0To this day I can fondly remember the smells of the dogs, the sage brush, and those heavy cotton canvas hunting jackets. \u00a0And especially the camaraderie with daddy and one or two of\u00a0his best friends on occasion (J.B. Brown, Mann Nutt, Freddie Roth, …). \u00a0We would ride together, listen to their\u00a0stories, hunt, and stop at a country store for freshly cut cheese and\/or bologna on\u00a0crackers after a long morning hunt.<\/p>\n
This duck hunt took me directly back to those great times. \u00a0Eight guys, most of whom I had never met, quickly bonded and enjoyed the commonalities of hunting, family, children and grandchildren, and mostly small town backgrounds. \u00a0 And Keith was ever my mentor … taking me clay shooting weeks in advance to teach me the art of shooting birds, then showing me the “ropes” in the blinds at Port O’Connor.<\/p>\n
Each morning we would launch with Pickle our hunting guide before daylight. \u00a0He would take us on a 20-30 minute boat ride to the shooting blind. \u00a0It was beyond dark, yet he seemed to know where to go in spite of the darkness and few markers. \u00a0Experience and faith, two unbeatable combinations. \u00a0He understood\u00a0these back waters and this part of the Gulf of Mexico like the back of his hand. \u00a0It was a huge vastness of water and reeded areas. \u00a0Invigorating, beautiful, and overwhelming, all at the same time. \u00a0This part of the trip reminded\u00a0me just how small I am in God’s scheme, yet He cares for me as if I’m most important. \u00a0I reminisced often of one of my favorite songs:<\/p>\n
Oceans (Hillsong United)<\/strong> So I will call upon your name,<\/em>
\nYou called me out upon the waters,<\/em>
\nThe great unknown<\/em>
\nwhere feet may fail,<\/em>
\nAnd there I find you in the mystery,<\/em>
\nIn oceans deep,<\/em>
\nMy faith will stand.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAnd keep my eyes above the waves<\/em>
\nwhen oceans rise,<\/em>
\nAnd so I\u2019ll rest in your embrace,<\/em>
\nFor I am yours,<\/em>
\nAnd you are mine.<\/em><\/p>\n
![\"Morning](\"http:\/\/marksisco.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSCF5777.jpg\")
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