So many times, as a parent, I look back and wish that I had done things differently in raising my children and especially my three oldest … all boys! Only now do I realize how much the children missed in their early 
years by being confined to a city where even playing outside was dangerous. The children missed out on so many outdoor adventures, including camping, hunting, and fishing. I didn’t realize then how important these opportunities were in a child’s life, but thank God, sometimes we’re given second chances.
After moving back to my childhood home in the Ozark Mountains, I took it upon myself to introduce the children, who were then teens, to the river I had grown up on. The boys soon mastered the art of casting and reeling and many weekends were spent competing and trying to out-fish the other. The boys were very competitive and watching them measure their fish against the others was fun. Many fond memories were made in those days and I can still 
hear the boys laughing as they reeled in one fish after another.
When I remarried several years later, my husband Tommy took every opportunity he had to teach the boys everything he knew about hunting. By this time though, the boys were starting to leave the nest and our time with them was limited. But the seed was planted and we watched their interest in the outdoors grow.
On a few occasions, my son Adam and I whitetail hunted together, though we always hunted in separate stands. Recently though, I had the opportunity to share a hunting experience with Adam and I learned that it was not too late to make some special memories with my child, even if he is all grown up.
Adam lives about a hundred-fifty miles away, but visits as often as his hectic work schedule allows. On this particular weekend, I had already made plans to hunt for whitetail deer and invited Adam to tag along. He jumped at the opportunity. Instead of toting a gun though, Adam suggested that he bring his video camera along and film me hunting. I was thrilled with the idea! We quickly jumped in our camouflage and headed to our family’s farm where we would hunt that afternoon.
I was not 
concerned about being successful on this hunt and bagging a trophy whitetail. Instead, I wanted to make sure that Adam had a great time. I chose to hunt a location where I knew that we would see some does and was hoping that maybe, by chance, a buck would appear. Adam thought it would be cool to get his mom on video killing a big buck and I was more than willing to participate.
We had quite a ways to walk to our hunting locale but we soon made it to an area where I felt we would be able to sit on the ground against some brush undetected. Not wanting to make a lot of movement and still be able to keep an eye in all directions, I suggested to Adam that we sit facing each other where we could see over each other’s shoulders.
We had arrived a little early in the afternoon and we soon found ourselves getting a little bored, which is not unusual for either of us. It wasn’t long though before Adam found a colorful spider to keep us both entertained. With video camera in hand, he filmed the 8-legged creature and occupied himself with poking the poor thing and making it crawl in different directions for filming purposes. We found ourselves laughing and giggling like kids as we played with the spider.
As the sun started over the horizon though we settled back down and waited patiently for the first deer to emerge in the field. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before a big old doe appeared about two hundred yards behind me. We watched as it fed around and Adam was elated with the opportunity to capture the beautiful long-necked creature on video. When the deer disappeared from our view, we again took the opportunity to chat quietly and enjoy each other’s company. We talked about the farm, camping on the river, and life in general. I also took this opportunity to tell Adam about the bear, which had been seen on our farm where we were hunting. I was thoroughly enjoying spending this time with my son.
Suddenly I saw movement behind Adam. It was close… maybe only 10-12 yards. I instantly froze in place and very quietly whispered, “Don’t move.” The animal was in no hurry and was taking its time, but coming straight towards us.
I am not sure what was going through Adam’s mind at the moment, but a look of terror crossed his face. I remained motionless and so did Adam, but looking at me with a wild, unforgettable expression, he muttered through his teeth, “It better not be a BEAR!”
By this time, the young deer had made its way to Adam's side and I watched as Adam’s eyes cut in the doe’s direction and he caught movement in his peripheral vision. I’m not sure who was more
scared at this point… Adam or the deer, but the look on both of their faces was priceless. Adam thought he was fixin’ to be eat alive by a bear and he quickly realized that the only thing he was armed with was a video camera. The poor whitetail on the other hand, couldn’t figure out why the bushes were suddenly laughing aloud! I was hysterical by this time and it didn’t take long for the young doe to disappear up the hillside scared totally out of her wits.
Needless to say, Adam's and my hunting adventure abruptly came to an end. Every critter in the woods knew of our presence and neither of us cared. We were having the time of our lives. This adventure will be one that we will both remember for a lifetime. Though all my sons are grown, I look forward to more adventures hunting and fishing with each of them. I have learned that it is never too late to take the time to share the outdoors with those we love, regardless of their age.
Thanks Adam for a good laugh and for giving your Momma a precious memory to store away for another day! It was definitely a successful day in the woods!