Promised fulfilled at last

About six years ago I wrote a short story called The Promise about me fly fishing for bass one afternoon. I only had a short time to fish because I had promised my 3 year old grandson Logan that I would come over for a while. During the course of the story I caught one small bass which I released and then off to fulfill my promise to visit with him. In the story I also promise that one day I would be taking him along with me.

Well time has come and gone and he has grown and is now 9. During that period of his growing up we survived three hurricanes, 2 which flooded our home and the third which pull part of the roof off the house. Those events really kept me busy. Then along with those happenings my Father passed away after a lengthy illness which required me to really give up most of my free time to his care. After his passing we had a reprieve for a few months and then it was Mom's turn to be taken care of. It came to the point that she had to be put in a home because we could give her the care she needed. So at least 3 days a week after work I visited with her and on Sunday I went to Mass at the home with her. At the same time my Father in law was going done fast and moved in with us. His passing and shortly after that Mom's passing left our lives empty for a while.

That Promise has been lurking in my mind ever since I made it to myself. Today I was able to fulfill that promise. I picked him up shortly after daylight and we drove over to the store for gas and goodies. Then it was off to the launch to put the boat in. I felt a great sense of pride at being able to do this. We put the boat in and off we went. He enjoyed the boat ride very much especially hitting waves and splashing water. We got to the fishing hole just as the sun started beaming down. Man did it get hot. Logan didn't seem to mind and we both drank a lot of water. The fish were cooperating and we hauled in around 30 bluegills and 1 slab. It took him a while to get the hang of it but by the time we left he was confident enough to make cast and reel in some fish. Learning the hook set was the hardest part.

When we got home he thanked me dearly for helping him learn how to cast and fish. He was very sincere about it and the way he put it, it kind of touched this old man in the heart. It was a great day for him and an even greater day for "PawPaw". Hope to do it more often after this heat breaks. Below are a few pictures of Logan and his PawPaw "gene" (he gave me the name). Hope I haven't bored y'all but it meant a lot to both of us.
"gene"

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All the money in the world would not and could not replace the time spent today with your grandson. The times that you spend with him fishing will never be forgotten by you or by him. Your story really touched my heart because since my x-wife and I divorced about seven years ago, I cherish every moment that I get to spend with my two children, especially when we are fishing. They think we are "just fishin," but what we are really doing is creating priceless memories for them and for me.
PRICELESS!! Thumbs Up

PawPaw Gene that is a memory that will last forever. Doesn't get any better than that. Enjoy it while it will last before they grow up and we are just too old to be seen with because of peer preasure. I treasure the days my grandchildren go with me and they catch a few fish then stand up in the front of the boat and hollar "I am the catfish king".

Great story! Kinda got me though :-( Glad you finally got to fulfill that promise and the heat didn't keep you at home.

Priceless memories...that what you and your grandson will make plenty of. I'm sure he's waiting on the next invite already and from your story I can tell that tomorrow wouldnt be soon enough for you. Congrats on the fish, report, and picsThumbs Up..........but an even bigger congrats to the quality time the two of you spent together doing what you love.Hands ClappingHands Clapping

That's great PPG. Don't get no better.

Here my fishing partner, She's better looking. :)

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my friend GOD BLESS the smile on that young man tells allThumbs Upcongrats on a fine day with your grandson and many to come!!!

strmwalker

Awesome story PPG! Super glad you both got to go out today. As many have said, lasting memories have been made today. I know I still have mine from 30 yrs ago and cherish them. Be sure to hold to your plans and go a lot more with him! :)
Scott

Thanks to all for sharing your thoughts, and JR I don't know if I can agree with you but she a beaut.
"gene"

BORING???? Never! I remember when I was a kid my uncle used to take me every time he went yo-yoing on Dugdemona. I"m sure sometimes he'd rather have gone alone to have some "down" time but he always took me along. Those trips are some of my favorite memories.

Great story Gene. Those trips with you will never be forgotten. I'm 63 and still remember all the time I spent with my grandfather learning to fish and all the life lessons he included in the process. God Bless

Awesome PPG! glad you finally got to do it!

Fantastic Gene. When I was a kid it was fly rods and rainbow trout at Roaring River in MO. I still remember me, Dad and Grandpa lined up down the bank catching trout. I still have two of Grandpa's bamboo fly rods. Now I have one of our 11 grandkids that is old enough ( and close enough ) to take fishing around Pensacola.

We've all got to teach the next generation to enjoy the outdoors and the joys of fishing. Let them know there is life after Xbox and Gameboy.

If anyone was bored, they surely don't have grandchildren. If we had known how much fun grand babies would be, we would have had more kids.

If Mr. Logan had been able to write the script for that day, he probably could not have expected to have had such a quality day. Wear your screen name proudly "PawPaw". You've earned it.

He's a fisherman, you Can see it in his eyes and thats two good looking young men in that last picture.

That'll be THE trip. The one that turns the tides on a bad day, that makes a sad moment bearable, that brings out the sun when all you can see is gloom. That story will prob be told many times over by him,when recounting the "good 'ol days", in the future. Definitely to friends and family and possibly even shared on a forum as we are now.
Thanks for sharing Mr. Gene.
Made my day better.

Great story PawPaw....Glad you two had a great day and thank you for sharing this with us. God Bless you.

Bored hell! Great story. I'm sorry the road the get there was so long and difficult. I suppose it makes it all that much sweeter. That made my day. }:-)

Way to go Gene, great story. Thanks for sharing.

You know you guys touch me to the core. It's good to be among friends. I don't know how to reply but many thanks for your thoughts. I hope Logan and I get to do a lot more before time runs out. Blessing to all of you.
"gene"

What a great story PawPaw Gene. As you have found out over the last year, life is precious and so is the time we have with our loved ones. Not one minute spent with that grandson will be wasted, whether fishing or not, so spend as much time with him as possible. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. God bless you!

Not sure who moved this to the front page but it touches my heart. I wish I could be with him when he will see it for the first time.
"gene"

way to make it happen pawpaw with so much youve been through

Awesome story Gene....thanks for sharing with us.....hope to see you two (and Miss Linda) on the water this fall....

Great story Gene! Glad you got to take the lil man fishing!

Dwayne, we had a great time. Haven't heard from you in a while, how are you and the family. We hope all is well and that we get to hook up with y'all later this year.
"gene"

Mr. Gene, Awesome story.. Logan may not realize just how much the day meant to you, but I know you do. Promises are sometimes hard to keep and having the ability and opportunity to fullfill one, especially with a loved one is very special. I am glad to hear that through all the hardships that yall have had, that you were able to accomplish it. It is a special day for both of you, not only to get to spend some quality time on the water together, but also the beginning of many more memories that will be made.. Thanks for taking the time to share the heart felt story with us.

Johnny I see that you understand the underlying story. A promise made is a promise unpaid. Well I finally paid off that promise. It's a depth of feeling that you have to experience to understand. Thanks for the comments.
"gene"

Your story sure brought back memories of fishing with my granddad. My dad was not an angler, but my granddad was. Dad trained me to squirrel hunt and granddad trained me to fish. I'm 74 now and remember some of those hunting and fishing trips like it was yesterday. Your grandson will remember in the same way. Keep enjoying him being with you on the water. Memories will be made never to be forgotten.

I wish I had such memories. I can only remember Dad taking me fishing once as a boy. I don't remember catching anything and we were fishing for bluegills. Later in life when I started to work and bought myself a little old boat, I took my Dad fishing. From those few trips, he moved up to a boat of his own and then a camp out in the saltwater marsh where he and Mom spend many a happy day. He loved catching shrimp and redfish. Now he and Mom are sitting in that great fishing boat in the sky.

"gene"