LONG READ, brought a tear to my eye

The wife and I went to Academy this evening. I went to purchase arrow inserts and nocks. While I was there a young man, probably 14, was looking over some of the bowhunting merchandise, with his mother. He asked me If I bow hunted, and I told him I try but am no means a pro. Anyhow he goes on to tell me he has a bow, that is about 30 years old he is looking to get a sight, arrows, rest ect for this bow. He is very polite and well mannered young man, and that in itself stood out. I advised him he might ought to be better off going to one of the pro shops, as he was getting quite a bit of a set up, and would more then likely be best. Anyhow he starts to look at the different broadheads ect. It never dawns on me, Where is his dad???? as he is shopping with his mom. My wife being the sweet bee, has a conversation with his mom, while me and the yound lad talk broadheads. I give him my business card and he seemed excited about the hunting operation I am involved with. I go back to look over other bow stuff and he and his mom go their way, not before he says goodbye. Here is where I get an emotional shock, from my wife. My wife tells me that the young man lost his dad a few years ago, but still has the knack to hunt, more so with that old bow. I bet money that old bow belonged to his daddy. His mom use to hunt quite a bit, in earlier years, when her husband was still alive. She told my wife her son now trys to do public land hunts, with group of teens. You talk about feeling like my heart sank. I had to catch my breath and was just feeling awful after this encounter. I could have done something for that young man, and I should have read the signs. I hope now, that for some reason he calls me, and I can really help him out. I feel for that young man, in more ways then one. Sorry for ranting, just needed to let it out.

I would feel the same way if I was in that situation. Just remember that everything is in God's hands and maybe he was led to you in the store for a reason.

Amazing how many of todays youth grow up without mom or dad....due to a lot of problems, whether it be death, divorce, or just....well you know....

Hope he calls you Roy......I know you could help him out...
and put him on the right track.......

Before we had Kole....I always thought about maybe joining the Boys and Girls Club as a volunteer......

Dont beta yourself up too bad over this. At least you gave him your card (which was divine intervention in itself) so it truly is up to God at this point for him to take the next step. Some would not have even given this kid the time of day. In my eyes you did all you were called to do at that given moment knowing what you did. Hindsight always makes us wonder but put your mind at ease knowing you did what you were called to do. All that matters is that God knows what is in your heart and thoughts. You did great and thanks for sharing the story.

You did something GOOD.

BUT.....YOU, you took the time to talk to him for a moment, showed intrest & HE just might contact you. YOU did make a bit of diffrence to HIM. There is no telling how many guys just walked by. You didnt know, no one could really

He'll call ya. dont feel so bad, like others said, you did a good thing. Not your fault you did not know about his dad.

I wouldn't beat yourself up about it. Just talking with him like you did was probably a good boost to his attitude on hunting. It doesn't sound like you did anything wrong.

Hopefully he will call you, you didn't know so like everyone else said, try not to take it so hard. Just by reading this it's to me obvious your intentions were good, if he does call you may have a great oppurtunity.

He will be back in that store! And u did d something good u tried to help.

PM sent.

you did something great....he will call hope it all works out. GOD BLESS

You did all you could do, and like everyone else said I am sure just talking to him made him feel much better. If it is meant to be, he will call you. Please don't beat yourself up over this. You did more than most people would have.

Thanks guys and ladies. FYI, I have an offer for a new bow with a set up, from a forum member on here, for that young man. I will not say who the person is, as I don't think that person wants it known. I just needed to say that because it shows where peoples hearts are in this situation. Here is the other thing, I know I can get him on a hunt with us. It may be a doe, mgt, or turkey hunt, but I know I can pull that much off, from my end. Here is where I am at, on this incident. I am going to give this some time, and hope he contacts me. If he doesn't I am going to place an add in the paper and see if I can find him. I don't know his name, but I can recall the incident at the store. Some of you may think I am nuts, but oh well.

Awesome that sounds like a good idea to me, let us know how it turns out. Hope you find him!!

You earned your wings, in regards to this young man. You didn't have to offer help and show interest...but you did. That, as well as, your card to him..I am sure meant so much. You did good, and just keep on doing what you are doing. I am sure you will hear back from this fine young man. My mom and dad have always told me..There is your plan and there is God's Plan and your plan doesn't count!

Sounds great with the follow up with the bow contribution..if it is meant to be, it will happen..God Bless.

Developing news- I had lunch with my wife and daughter. My wife remembers the mom calling the young man "Trey", or at least that is what she believes. The other interesting thing, wife also remembers that his mom had "Greenwood Rangers" t shirt. Greenwood is a small community just SE here from Midland. As we are in the hall way, my wifes co worker, who is from Greenwood, meet. My wife runs the scenario by her, and she immediatly comes up with a paticular person. I did some more investigation on the Football rooster, and the Trey she is talking about, is not this same person(bigger guy and has both parents). But.............there is another Trey that is about the size of this young man I am looking for. My wifes co worker is going to do some checking at Greenwood ISD is very small and she can possibly come up with the young man I am looking for. I will keep everyone posted, as this comes around.

BTW, does anyone else get the strange feeling this is almost what it needs to be??? That I do find this young man??? The Good Lord works in mysterious ways, who am I to doubt him.

Good heart Roy.

Man I am so glad I decided to look in this section tonight. What a great story and my hat is off to you 7Mag! This is such a wonderful thing you are doing. I hope you can find him and take him hunting... What a great thing it would be for this young man to have someone like you help him through what just has to be the hardest thing possible. I agree... it's almost like he was reaching out and this was all supposed to happen. I pray you find him. please keep us posted.

Good luck on finding him!

I'm interested in seeing how this story works out. Keep us posted.