I received a personal email from one of my readers about a week ago. I am just now bringing myself around to writing about this. The subject matter, what I wrote in my latest book, and my involuntary response was very emotional. It is much so that it is difficult to talk about it out loud. Before I dive in, and divulge the content of the email in my usual style I would like to layout out the pretext, the precepts should you agree and accept them as my deeply honest perspective.
- I am not schooled in the literary arts. Like other things I seem to do, I prefer seat of the pants method, out of necessity to catapult my way into doing whatever I set out to do.
- I can butcher the spelling and pronunciation of nearly all the words found in a modern dictionary. Not to mention I routinely violate rules of proper grammar and modern writing.
- It is not probable that I be nominated for book awards,grand literary award, or find my titles in the NY times best seller list
- I write books to capture my experiences, my thoughts and to revisit them as I age and my memory becomes less than ideal
As a member of the outdoor writer community I enjoy and share with my fellow writers the ability to easily connect with my followers who also spend time in the turkey woods as I do. It is not terribly hard to find common ground and to paint a vivid picture of our time there while chasing narly old gobblers. In my most recent book “Grand Days in the Turkey Woods,” and near the end of the book I wrote a chapter titled “Gates of Forever Roost- Traditions & Passings.” This was a collection of several interconnected stories involving the passing of my mother in-law Susanne Harrision, her several battles with cancer, her heroic fight, opening day traditions, and a very reflective, and very personal hunt. I felt that it would not be possible to do justice to my memory of that period in time unless I included those emotions, and the depth of experiences that came from it. It was in keeping with how I wrote the other chapters. I felt it made sense, and made for an accurate and introspective capture of that particular spring season. If anything I felt that those who read that particular chapter might gain a little more insight of all those involved, maybe reminisce about their loved ones that have passed. I never consider it may reach further and impact some one in a positive and profound way.
My reader (I’ll not disclose his name to respect his privacy) sent me a note that he had been reading my book while undergoing treatment at the Mayo Clinic. Yes, he is fighting his own battle for survival. He went on to say that the story inspired him to the point he needed to get out there this spring season, fight his way through it,and make a go of it. I don’t know the exact details, but he would have to switch and shoot off hand, and go later in the morning, as he has difficulty first thing when he wakes up. When I got this, I could not verbalize this to my wife, and instead had her read it. This was overwhelming to learn of this, and a humbling experience. I replied saying this and a bit more.
Yesterday I got another email from him, and he did just what he said he would do, even with the season starting off as a windy, rainy one.He felt that my mother in-law’s divine intervention through inspiration resulted in him toting out a monstrous old gobbler with ivory 1-1/2′” hooks. Made me kinda hope that some of that might rub off on me… It is our time in the great turkey woods that we so love. Toting out a gobbler is a welcomed result, but it is the time spent there that we cherish. In this case he would enjoy both.
My focus in my writings has been to put you at the tree next to me while chasing gobblers, to paint the picture as I see it, and hopefully have you the reader enjoy it as I experienced it. To have anything I publish as an author to do another person some good by way of inspiration, renewed perspective, warms my heart in many ways, leaving me feeling very humbled, very blessed. I will make the chapter available to my fans and those that follow my writings. As soon as a I get a night to get at it, I will make that chapter available on the book’s website. I will republish it here on the blog momentarily. It is my hope that it may be inspiring to others as it did for my new friend.
an old Celtic blessing to part with….
“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
© 2015 Joyner Outdoor Media
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