A few weeks ago I went to Oregon with my son Joseph to see my grandfather and aunt. It was really nice to catch up with my aunt and to be with my grandfather, probably for the last time. He's old and frail and I love him.
This was Joseph's first plane ride and he was thrilled. His enthusiasm ignited a bit of excitement in me and we had a special time together. Joseph is a fisherman. He has only had a pole since August, but it appears he's been one since birth, he just had to discover it. We did a LOT of fishing. I was mostly his assistant and quiet observer. On one day we drove to the coast; he sat with a map on his lap planning how we could get to each bit of water he saw. 
First we fished in the Junction City pond. It had recently been filled with 4000 brook trout. He snagged a fish on his hook, but it got away before we could secure it. Disappointing. I had been snapping photos of Joseph and the area when this occurred. I stopped snapping to help him try to reel in the fish. After the fish got away Joseph instructed, "Next time mom, get the photo so we can prove I caught one." Unfortunately there was no next time, but I was ready with my camera. 
In the following days we stopped at Fern Ridge Reservoir (muddy water and a death trap dock) to fish for who knows what; Woahink Lake (beautiful place with crystal clear water) to try for rainbow trout (saw them jump but no luck); Suislaw River (picture perfect meandering river) for salmon since the salmon run is on; the inlet of Suislaw River for salmon and perch; and even the Pacific Ocean, just so he could say he's fished in an ocean. For his souvenirs Joseph chose Salmon Magic - a lure for, you guessed it, salmon (we met the man who made it); and he chose a hat that has a lure and says "bite me". I thought they were perfect representations of our trip.
Joseph isn't by nature a quiet, patient guy. But he was while he fished. I enjoyed feeling the calm in him. I think we could all use a little more calm in our daily lives. He still chatted, but that was entertaining. One time he turned and declared, "Mom, I'm being really patient. I haven't caught any fish, but I keep trying and don't let it get me frustrated." I smiled and agreed. Another time, after casting, he said, "I'm really good at casting. If an expert came by and saw me he'd say, 'What?! He's a beginner? No. I think he's a medium." Cracked me up. 
In the following days we stopped at Fern Ridge Reservoir (muddy water and a death trap dock) to fish for who knows what; Woahink Lake (beautiful place with crystal clear water) to try for rainbow trout (saw them jump but no luck); Suislaw River (picture perfect meandering river) for salmon since the salmon run is on; the inlet of Suislaw River for salmon and perch; and even the Pacific Ocean, just so he could say he's fished in an ocean. For his souvenirs Joseph chose Salmon Magic - a lure for, you guessed it, salmon (we met the man who made it); and he chose a hat that has a lure and says "bite me". I thought they were perfect representations of our trip.
Joseph isn't by nature a quiet, patient guy. But he was while he fished. I enjoyed feeling the calm in him. I think we could all use a little more calm in our daily lives. He still chatted, but that was entertaining. One time he turned and declared, "Mom, I'm being really patient. I haven't caught any fish, but I keep trying and don't let it get me frustrated." I smiled and agreed. Another time, after casting, he said, "I'm really good at casting. If an expert came by and saw me he'd say, 'What?! He's a beginner? No. I think he's a medium." Cracked me up. 
I love my little fisherman, and I hope I'm by his side when he catches and reels in that first fish.
1 comment:
Awwww! I smiled the whole time I read that! Kids say the funniest things and I think it's great you guys got to do that together and that Joseph found something so fun that he loves! Glad you got to see your Grandpa :)
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