Saying good by to an inanimate friend.

[croixflats]

This a tale I think we all can relate to. And I believe this will stay with me fore ever.

Today I went with my friend to look at a 16ft lund with a 35 hp he was interested in purchasing. Not knowing what to expect as the boat was priced very reasonable, almost to good to be true. Pulling up to the house we could see the boat sitting in the garage, a good sign. We go up to knock on the while glancing a closer look at the boat, its looking even better.

An older gentleman answers the door and tells us to meet him in the garage.

We go in and this boat is in great shape and the owner goes on describing the boat. We stood there listening to him and I felt something was not quite right. Well, after further discussion of the boat and exchanging stories and getting to know each other he stops and looks at us and says, please forgive me the decision to sell my boat was a difficult decision to make. I bought this boat the first year me and my wife got married, at this time he was getting a bit choked up. He goes on saying at his age it is getting tough getting out to go fishing and that's the reason for selling her(the boat not the wife). Seeing this hit a chord in my soul and I understood where he was coming from.

He went on to say he has a friend that will take him out a couple of times this year.

Well after talking with him my heart was sitting a bit low standing in the garage all I could come up with was this. I told him I am always looking for new people to fish with and asked if he would like to join me on the St.Croix for some fishing. His eyes opened up and a smile appeared with him saying that would be much appreciated. After about an hour and a half of talking we decided it was time to leave we did our goodbyes and thank you's I got a business card so I could call him to go fishing.

As we were pulling away we could see him watching his old friend pulling away without him. This is a bittersweet tale where the sweet just does not feel so good.

I do not know why we attach feelings to inanimate objects. Maybe its the memories that go with them or maybe it signifies something else all I know is I can relate to him all to well.

[OakdaleFMR]

Croixflats,

Thank you for the tears welling up in my eyes as I remember my old fishing "buddy". I hope you two begin a long lasting fishing partnership. God Bless!

[Fish Head]

Great story. I remember feeling bad when I saw the new owners drive away with my last boat, and I only owned it a few years.

[Finns]

Very touching story. Please take him fishing as I hope someone will take me with them in a few years.

[leech~~]

I felt the same way when my kids grow up and left home and I had to sell one of our two up sleds and a 4 wheeler that we use to all ride as a family! Things change I guess!

[croixflats]

I sure look forward to taking him and his wife out fishing if they do take me up on the offer.

He made a real nice statement before we left. He said his boat looks like its in good hands with good people and will be nice to see how she is doing later in the summer. We previously mentioned to him that along with being friends we are next door neighbors.

-

Things change, such a profound statement that hits home. Its like a door closes then you find out its a swing door and there is something differant on the other side.

[walleyewild]

croixflats,

Great story, I hope that you can take this gentleman and his wife out fishing.

I lost my grandfather in a car accident when I was 9.

Lost my dad to cancer in 2001, My uncle is all that I have left for fishing, and over the years he has taught me quite a bit about fishing.

You never know what you might learn from this man, he might have given your buddy a good deal on the boat but you might be the one to gain the most from this transaction, the benefit of a new friendship out of all of this.

WW

[Tom7227]

Similar story but it was a friend who had cancer and he was trying to get rid of stuff so his wife wouldn't be burdened with it. I was struggling trying to figure out how to buy stuff from him for a fair price, maybe a little more fair to him, and how to pay for it all. I ended up with a boat, motor, trailer and all the trimmings as well as a shotgun and some other stuff. Tough to pull out of Claude's driveway that day.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Yes, he was parting with a visual memory of days past and also facing the fact that he is not able to do the same things he could when he was younger. Heck to get old.

Very touching - thanks.

[CJH]

Very kind thing to do and I am sure it brought some peace and joy to his heart. Kudos to you!

[Ed Carlson]

This a tale I think we all can relate to. And I believe this will stay with me fore ever.

Today I went with my friend to look at a 16ft lund with a 35 hp he was interested in purchasing. Not knowing what to expect as the boat was priced very reasonable, almost to good to be true. Pulling up to the house we could see the boat sitting in the garage, a good sign. We go up to knock on the while glancing a closer look at the boat, its looking even better.

An older gentleman answers the door and tells us to meet him in the garage.

We go in and this boat is in great shape and the owner goes on describing the boat. We stood there listening to him and I felt something was not quite right. Well, after further discussion of the boat and exchanging stories and getting to know each other he stops and looks at us and says, please forgive me the decision to sell my boat was a difficult decision to make. I bought this boat the first year me and my wife got married, at this time he was getting a bit choked up. He goes on saying at his age it is getting tough getting out to go fishing and that's the reason for selling her(the boat not the wife). Seeing this hit a chord in my soul and I understood where he was coming from.

He went on to say he has a friend that will take him out a couple of times this year.

Well after talking with him my heart was sitting a bit low standing in the garage all I could come up with was this. I told him I am always looking for new people to fish with and asked if he would like to join me on the St.Croix for some fishing. His eyes opened up and a smile appeared with him saying that would be much appreciated. After about an hour and a half of talking we decided it was time to leave we did our goodbyes and thank you's I got a business card so I could call him to go fishing.

As we were pulling away we could see him watching his old friend pulling away without him. This is a bittersweet tale where the sweet just does not feel so good.

I do not know why we attach feelings to inanimate objects. Maybe its the memories that go with them or maybe it signifies something else all I know is I can relate to him all to well.

Well done, granting him the future opportunity to fish with his old friend from time to time is a very good and admirable TRUE Sportsman's gesture.

[Northlander]

For Sure!