I'm a little bummed out today

Gray Wolf · 08-03-2009, 01:14 PM

I have a good friend, a disabled Navy Vet from the Korean War era, and he told me that he had not been shooting for several years. This is a guy that loves firearms.
I went to his house, got him into his wheelchair, went down the ramp and got him into his Suburban. We drove to my little homestead, and I parked his truck where he could shoot down the lane that I have cleared for shooting.

To make a long story short, between his bad eyesight and arthritis, he couldn't hit anything until we got within 10 feet. I took him home and we had lunch. After lunch, I cleaned his guns and his wife's rifle too, they had not been touched in several years.

He gave me all his gun cleaning supplies, saying that he would not need them anymore. I know that there is nothing I can do about his condition, but I can't help feeling somewhat blue.

Cyrano · 08-03-2009, 01:16 PM

It's always sad when someone has to give up an activity they love because they're not physically capable of doing it any more.

PAPA G · 08-03-2009, 02:26 PM

you did good, if nothing else you got a good friend out to shoot a little and thats the important thing. i too can no longer shoot my shotguns and rifles. occasionaly i take one of my handguns in the back yard, and shoot them. i cannot hit a paper plate at 15 ft. but i am satisfied just sending lead down range.

i hope e wants to try some more in the near future.

squirrelblaster · 08-03-2009, 05:00 PM

this acualy really sad.. what about trying diffrnt set ups? like a halo sight or somthing, or using a bench rest with rifle viced down so that all he has to do is aim it and pull the trigger, does not have to keep it steady or anything.......just throwing ideas out... i hate to see someone like that have to give up shooting...

LiveToShoot · 08-03-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gray Wolf

I have a good friend, a disabled Navy Vet from the Korean War era, and he told me that he had not been shooting for several years. This is a guy that loves firearms.
I went to his house, got him into his wheelchair, went down the ramp and got him into his Suburban. We drove to my little homestead, and I parked his truck where he could shoot down the lane that I have cleared for shooting.

To make a long story short, between his bad eyesight and arthritis, he couldn't hit anything until we got within 10 feet. I took him home and we had lunch. After lunch, I cleaned his guns and his wife's rifle too, they had not been touched in several years.

He gave me all his gun cleaning supplies, saying that he would not need them anymore. I know that there is nothing I can do about his condition, but I can't help feeling somewhat blue.

Blue moment...

...yes, one I experience with a friend of mine.

And, it was a very good moment to take your buddy shooting again...

...so, I'd savor the sweet of the moment and be glad he was able to go again.

Archetype_wyo · 08-03-2009, 05:11 PM

At least you took him out to shoot. Its the thought that counts I think. Had I been in your shoes I think I might have started tearing up when he passed on his cleaning supplies. But thats just me.

The_Patriot · 08-03-2009, 05:41 PM

My Dad's been in that kind of condition since his 30s with severe rheumatoid arthritis. No fun at all.

Here I am, just hitting 40 and I've got such back pain that I avoid going anywhere just about. My activity level is about a 2 on a 0-100 scale right now. 4 years ago I used to run 6 miles a day.

If there's one thing my experiences have told me is BE THANKFUL IF YOU'RE IN GOOD HEALTH. It could be gone practically overnight and, at the end of the day, that's the only thing that really matters.

Good on you for helping him out, though. Folks that need help don't like to ask for it (I know because I'm now one of them). But they sure appreciate it when they get it.

Gray Wolf · 08-03-2009, 05:50 PM

I really appreciate the kind words. They have brightened by dark mood a bit.
I figure I did the right thing, although I did not like the outcome.
I guess it will happen to all of us sooner or later, if we are fortunate to live long enough!

KGunner · 08-04-2009, 01:25 AM

You know what? I could go shooting blindfolded, I don't care if I hit anything at all, I just like that feeling of the firearm in my hands and the recoil of it, the sound, the smell, the feeling to my core. I hardly look to see if I hit something, I just like to pull that trigger.

What you did is great! I'm still young at just 22, and it is hard to see my grandparents reach into their 70s and have to give up their hobbies and activities. Hell, even my parents who aren't even 50 yet are having to surrender some of their hobbies to age.

Windwalker · 08-04-2009, 07:30 AM

Gray Wolf, that was a great thing you did for your friend. We need more people like you that will take the time to help someone else. May the Great Spirit smile on all your endeavors.

neophyte · 08-04-2009, 08:32 AM

Gray Wolf: Sir; I see it differently

You had the time to be with your friend, you, and he had a ''moment'' in life.

Life is about now; Life is about how we enjoy our moments. Being ''bummed'' by circumstance? Nope; Being excited to enjoy; our ''being'' able to enjoy our friendships.

Pity is for those without friendships. Not; for laughing with,

or at your ''Friend''.

Imagine; he, or she not being here at all

Bless you sir; for taking the time to consider your friends

ArkansasHunter · 08-04-2009, 08:42 AM

Sir Thank You for takeing time with one of our Disabled Vets. Your friend has nice memorys of the outhing now.
He may not have hit a target but I bet he had a great time and I commend you for takeing the time to help someone confined to a wheel chair.

May God reward you for thoughtfulness...A.H

tclu1308 · 08-05-2009, 12:08 AM

It is difficult to watch a dear old friend deteriorate. I'm only 31 myself, but I've lost some important people in my life, and also watched some of my friends go through problems I would never wish on anyone. One thing I've learned and try to keep to is that sadness is an emotion but not necessarily a bad one. Sometimes the "negative" emotions can generate positive things. I am thankful that I am still relatively young and healthy, and I know I am not invincible. This thankfulness, along with the experiences of my pain and the pain of others, has given me a much better appreciation of the good times I experience.

Gray Wolf I think I might understand how you felt bummed after your experience, and though it may not help, I suppose your friend was bummed too, because being old and unable to do the things one loves is probably pretty difficult. Just keep in mind there is often a sweet spot in the sadness and if an experience jars pleasant memories, then that experience is probably worthwhile. I commend you for your kindness to an old friend, and also for your ability to process the emotions involved with such an important endeavor.

tclu

sea_chicken1 · 08-05-2009, 12:55 AM

You did a good thing even though it didint go as planned. I wish I would have had the time do do something like that with some of my family members before they passed.

08-03-2009, 01:14 PM	#1
Gray Wolf Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 265	I'm a little bummed out today I have a good friend, a disabled Navy Vet from the Korean War era, and he told me that he had not been shooting for several years. This is a guy that loves firearms. I went to his house, got him into his wheelchair, went down the ramp and got him into his Suburban. We drove to my little homestead, and I parked his truck where he could shoot down the lane that I have cleared for shooting. To make a long story short, between his bad eyesight and arthritis, he couldn't hit anything until we got within 10 feet. I took him home and we had lunch. After lunch, I cleaned his guns and his wife's rifle too, they had not been touched in several years. He gave me all his gun cleaning supplies, saying that he would not need them anymore. I know that there is nothing I can do about his condition, but I can't help feeling somewhat blue.

08-03-2009, 02:26 PM	#3
PAPA G Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: somerset, kentucky Posts: 9,452	you did good, if nothing else you got a good friend out to shoot a little and thats the important thing. i too can no longer shoot my shotguns and rifles. occasionaly i take one of my handguns in the back yard, and shoot them. i cannot hit a paper plate at 15 ft. but i am satisfied just sending lead down range. i hope e wants to try some more in the near future. __________________ MOE! LARRY! THE CHEESE!

08-03-2009, 05:00 PM	#4
squirrelblaster lord of lego turtles! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,658	this acualy really sad.. what about trying diffrnt set ups? like a halo sight or somthing, or using a bench rest with rifle viced down so that all he has to do is aim it and pull the trigger, does not have to keep it steady or anything.......just throwing ideas out... i hate to see someone like that have to give up shooting... __________________ "I like Turtles!" youtube kid

08-03-2009, 05:11 PM	#6
Archetype_wyo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Buffalo, Wyo Posts: 2,251	At least you took him out to shoot. Its the thought that counts I think. Had I been in your shoes I think I might have started tearing up when he passed on his cleaning supplies. But thats just me. __________________ The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun. —Patrick Henry

08-03-2009, 05:41 PM	#7
The_Patriot Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South of the Northern Region Posts: 1,772	My Dad's been in that kind of condition since his 30s with severe rheumatoid arthritis. No fun at all. Here I am, just hitting 40 and I've got such back pain that I avoid going anywhere just about. My activity level is about a 2 on a 0-100 scale right now. 4 years ago I used to run 6 miles a day. If there's one thing my experiences have told me is BE THANKFUL IF YOU'RE IN GOOD HEALTH. It could be gone practically overnight and, at the end of the day, that's the only thing that really matters. Good on you for helping him out, though. Folks that need help don't like to ask for it (I know because I'm now one of them). But they sure appreciate it when they get it. __________________ "It doesn't matter how small you are if you have faith and a plan." - Some Commie Bastard

08-03-2009, 01:16 PM	#2
Cyrano Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York Posts: 7,813	It's always sad when someone has to give up an activity they love because they're not physically capable of doing it any more.

08-03-2009, 05:50 PM	#8
Gray Wolf Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 265	I really appreciate the kind words. They have brightened by dark mood a bit. I figure I did the right thing, although I did not like the outcome. I guess it will happen to all of us sooner or later, if we are fortunate to live long enough!

08-04-2009, 01:25 AM	#9
KGunner Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 797 Blog Entries: 10	You know what? I could go shooting blindfolded, I don't care if I hit anything at all, I just like that feeling of the firearm in my hands and the recoil of it, the sound, the smell, the feeling to my core. I hardly look to see if I hit something, I just like to pull that trigger. What you did is great! I'm still young at just 22, and it is hard to see my grandparents reach into their 70s and have to give up their hobbies and activities. Hell, even my parents who aren't even 50 yet are having to surrender some of their hobbies to age. __________________ If the Founding Fathers were alive today, they'd probably rather be dead.

08-04-2009, 07:30 AM	#10
Windwalker Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 6,251	Gray Wolf, that was a great thing you did for your friend. We need more people like you that will take the time to help someone else. May the Great Spirit smile on all your endeavors. __________________ America: Love it and protect it or leave it In God I Trust

08-04-2009, 08:32 AM	#11
neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 10,102 Blog Entries: 2	Laughing With Gray Wolf: Sir; I see it differently You had the time to be with your friend, you, and he had a ''moment'' in life. Life is about now; Life is about how we enjoy our moments. Being ''bummed'' by circumstance? Nope; Being excited to enjoy; our ''being'' able to enjoy our friendships. Pity is for those without friendships. Not; for laughing with, or at your ''Friend''. Imagine; he, or she not being here at all Bless you sir; for taking the time to consider your friends __________________ Craig The wisdom of nations lies in their proverbs, which are brief and pithy. William Penn

08-04-2009, 08:42 AM	#12
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas. Posts: 18,224	Sir Thank You for takeing time with one of our Disabled Vets. Your friend has nice memorys of the outhing now. He may not have hit a target but I bet he had a great time and I commend you for takeing the time to help someone confined to a wheel chair. May God reward you for thoughtfulness...A.H __________________ IN GOD WE TRUST NRA MEMBER

08-05-2009, 12:08 AM	#13
tclu1308 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Champaign IL Posts: 459	It is difficult to watch a dear old friend deteriorate. I'm only 31 myself, but I've lost some important people in my life, and also watched some of my friends go through problems I would never wish on anyone. One thing I've learned and try to keep to is that sadness is an emotion but not necessarily a bad one. Sometimes the "negative" emotions can generate positive things. I am thankful that I am still relatively young and healthy, and I know I am not invincible. This thankfulness, along with the experiences of my pain and the pain of others, has given me a much better appreciation of the good times I experience. Gray Wolf I think I might understand how you felt bummed after your experience, and though it may not help, I suppose your friend was bummed too, because being old and unable to do the things one loves is probably pretty difficult. Just keep in mind there is often a sweet spot in the sadness and if an experience jars pleasant memories, then that experience is probably worthwhile. I commend you for your kindness to an old friend, and also for your ability to process the emotions involved with such an important endeavor. tclu __________________ If anybody asks I spent it on golf balls.

08-05-2009, 12:55 AM	#14
sea_chicken1 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Everett WA. and Norfolk VA. Posts: 1,144	You did a good thing even though it didint go as planned. I wish I would have had the time do do something like that with some of my family members before they passed.