Stuff I never dreamed possible...

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11 years 10 months ago #17198 by Sharkey
Stuff I never dreamed possible... was created by Sharkey
I've lived a lot of lives and worn a lot of hats but I've got to say, the best damn hat I've ever worn is that of a husband and father.

My wife and I do GREAT together and my stepdaughter, now 20 is out on her own and doing well and at 49 years old, my oldest son is turning 10 years old tomorrow morning and both of my boys are just the coolest little human beings on earth.

They both fish like old salts, both love guns, shooting, fishing, playing soldier, football, wrestling, judo (a little at this point), boxing and the outdoors and are just absolutely what make my world go round.

I guess I'm just sitting here reflecting a bit. I've been down some pretty bad roads over the course of my life and can't say they did me any good really but as I look back, I try not to carry those roads too heavily but everything we all do hangs with us in one way or another no matter what.

They DID however make me a man that truly appreciates, today, what I now have.

My oldest boy turns 10 tomorrow and I find myself moving farther and farther from what I once was to what I have probably always aspired to be. A happy man...

Seems only yesterday that it was impossible for me to even own more than I could pack up and move with in almost a matter of minutes... but then in the next thought, I barely know who that guy was anymore...

Meeting my wife and having my sons has been like daily medicine and I am grateful to God, and to them, for all they do for me and still loving me in spite of being, well, me... :)


Of course, YOU guys are ok too I spose... for a bunch of "not good looking" fellas... :evil:


Anyway, I just want to wish my oldest boy a happy birthday. His name is Fred and he's my first of two. He's a great kid. He's in 4th grade and made the honor roll this year. :thumbs:


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I know I don't share much about myself normally, but tonight, well, I was just in the mood I guess. Pride does things to a fella.... :)

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11 years 10 months ago #17200 by Siscowet
Replied by Siscowet on topic Stuff I never dreamed possible...
Shark, wish your son Happy Birthday from your forum friends, but also let him know we think he is darn lucky to have a Dad like you.
:happybirthd :usa:

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11 years 10 months ago #17207 by 10before15
Replied by 10before15 on topic Stuff I never dreamed possible...
:happybirthd Fred from all of us here at AR10T.COM!

And a great post Sharkey. You know my friends ask me sometimes about the crazy things I did when I was younger. They ask If I "regretted this" or "would you have changed that"? My answers is always no. Everything I have ever done has brought me to were I am today and when I look at my beautiful wife and kids I know I'm blessed.

That is one heck of a fish!!!!
Great catch!! :twothumbs:

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11 years 10 months ago #17208 by Keefer T
Replied by Keefer T on topic Stuff I never dreamed possible...
Happy Birthday Fred! All the best from AR10T.com.

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11 years 10 months ago #17210 by Sharkey
Replied by Sharkey on topic Stuff I never dreamed possible...
Thanks Guys.

When I get home this evening, I'll show him the thread and all of your messages. He's still in bed when I leave for work every day but he'll be happy to see the well wishes from my AR10t family for sure.

God knows I spend enough TIME with you guys... :)

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11 years 10 months ago #17212 by 13fcolt
Replied by 13fcolt on topic Stuff I never dreamed possible...
Happy Birthday young American!

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11 years 10 months ago #17213 by VTIT
Replied by VTIT on topic Stuff I never dreamed possible...
Wish him a :happybirthd from his "Uncle" Kenny. It sounds like your family is a great one. (Despite the crazy old man sitting at the head of it.)

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11 years 10 months ago #17226 by OleCowboy
Replied by OleCowboy on topic Stuff I never dreamed possible...
Sounds like some GREAT young'uns you got there.

Just tell'um that God, guns and guts is what built this great country, you do not need to push 1 for English and the only other languages you need to speak or John Wayne, Johnny Cash and John Deere


"Ride for the Brand"

The dismounted young cowboy asked the old hand,

"What does it mean when they say 'Ride for the brand'?"

The grizzled old-timer's age seemed to drop years,

And he sat straight up in the saddle as he surveyed the steers.


"It means a lot of different things, son.

It has a lot to do with what's lost and what's won.

I ain't talking about gambling, but earning a living,

Hard work, trust, respect, taking, and giving.


"It means you don't never foul up the land,

And you don't take unfair advantage or rob.

You work hard, even when the work's rough as a cob.

That's part of what it means to ride for the brand.


"It means you help your neighbors and your friends,

And you help even strangers just passing through.

It means you hire on a hungry old saddle-tramp

Who needs a place to winter past the cold and damp.


"It means you don't let the poor folks go hungry

Just 'cause they're down and short on grub and luck.

And it means that you don't work just for a buck,

But 'cause you need work like water's needed by a tree.


"It means you can be trusted, and that you trust each pard,

To do the chores that are needed, no matter how hard,

'Cause you're all riding for the same outfit,

And you're all striving together to benefit it.


"It means you keep searching for that one last stray,

Even though it's the end of the day,

Even though you'd rather stop and go to town.

It means you don't lay your responsibility down.


"It means you give an honest day's work for an honest day's wage,

Whether you're in the corral or out riding the range.

Every job's important, and there ain't none that ain't.

It's not the cowboy way to quit though it'd be easier to say 'I cain't.'


"It means you'll not complain when you help dig a well,

Nor even have to be asked to spell a tired cowpoke who's stove-up.

It means you'll work with others as well as you'll work alone,

And that even when you're tired to the bone, you'll cowboy-up.


"That's what it means, that, and a whole lot more.

It means that you've got pride in yourself, your job, and the land.

So saddle-up. Toughen-up. Cowboy-up. Be a man… “Ride for the brand."


Copyright © 1999 by Paul Harwitz (All Rights Reserved.)

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11 years 10 months ago #17245 by Sharkey
Replied by Sharkey on topic Stuff I never dreamed possible...
Freddie just got done reading every word guys and thank you all for wishing him well. I don't mean to bring the family in but he's earned the right to see that I'm proud enough of him to say so to other men and it does a boy good to know his Dad talks good about him.

Just seems that a new angle sometimes sits just right.

All kind words and wisdom appreciated.

Sharkey N Fred

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