"If there is a future for wild things, then it is the burden of those who have reached farther than me, to save them for the rest of us. It will be done by those whose convictions were forged in campfires,
Bill"
You were a great Game Warden and I still miss you so much...
11 comments:
I love both those photos of him so much, and that quote is so beautiful.
He was quite the human being: passionate about nature, artistic, smart as hell, complicated and wickedly funny. He would have been the BEST grandpa.
Yep, I think that's the hardest part. Gracie asked me the other day "Who was your dad?" I told her he died when her daddy was a baby. She said, "Oh yeah, my dad told me about him. I'm mad that I never got to meet him." He would have been a wonderful grandpa/great grandpa...
It's funny, but I had a dream about Dad just last night. It's a recurring dream that I have every once in a while. I dreamed he was still alive, but for some reason had to keep that fact a secret. And while I'm dreaming, I think, "So is this real, is Dad really alive, or am I just dreaming this?" Weird. How fitting that I had it last night. Guess I've been thinking about Dad a lot lately.
It's been almost 30 years. That sounds like a LONG time ago. Yet, it certainly doesn't FEEL like a long time ago - does it? There are still times when something happens, or I have a question, and I think, "Oh, I'll ask Dad." And then,.. ha,...Silly me.
I know, he was SO nice to have around to help us with problems like buying things we weren't sure about. In so many ways it seems like such a short time ago. Every year I keep hoping I'll quit missing him so much.
Oh, you guys...I am so sorry. I hate that you lost your dad and grandfather. I'm so awfully sorry.
I hate to wish anyone ill, but I hope this is a very, very terrible day for CD. You folks deserve so much better than what happened. (((HUGS)))
I love those pictures too! And I love what you've all said----the "wickedly funny" is so perfectly descriptive of him. And the grin that accompanied that wicked humor---!
I , too , still think at times that "I can't wait to tell Bill---" and then, uh, no, can't . After all this time-----he is missed so much (even by the kids that didn't get to know him) -----he was so big, filled such a huge place in our lives !
awww, bless Grace---Bill would definately been a loving, doting, spoil 'em rotten Grandpa and Great Grandpa!
Imagine you dreaming your dream last night, Lala. It must have been wonderful to see and talk to him.
Thank you, Casey, we appreciate your thoughts.
Rest in Peace, dear Bill, you can be so proud of our kids and their kids.
Thanks Casey, you're sweet!
Mom, I think you'd be on the back of a Harley if dad was still here!
Thinking about you and your family today Jodi. Shedding some tears while looking down at and reflecting on Bull Camp last winter was the most moving experience of my IDFG career. I'm proud to represent the same agency and profession your father did. Take care, Matt O'Connell
Matt, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I know he would be so proud of you and those of you who continue to work for the wildlife and resources he cared so much about. Someday, I'm going to talk to the CO for that area and try to go down. It's something that I feel I'd like to do. Drive in the same way he went, walk down into the campsite the same way he did...
Hmmmm. I've come across that particular "wild plant" in my hikes on Mt Hood National Forest... Hmmm.
Jodi, Linda, Dee, Kate, Steve - I am so sorry about your dad. I am glad you can find the strength to celebrate his life. He was a really good man. {{{HUGS}}}
Jaci, thanks for the hugs. Dad had a cabin up in the mountains off highway 21. He noticed that often, when he went to the cabin, or drove by on his way to work up the road, that he often saw a vehicle parked along the highway in the same place. He started watching from his cabin, to see where the "subject" was going when he would park his car. After watching him walk up the mountain on the other side of the creek several times, he went up there and discovered a big crop of the green stuff. He pulled it all up and put it in the back of his F&G truck. I had graduated from high school by then and was living with mom and dad in Boise.
It was the 70s and we all smoked pot. I remember pulling into the driveway that afternoon and seeing dad's truck absolulely FULL of pot! I thought I'd hit the jack"pot"! But alas, it went to the Sheriff's Office where it was burned...
A funny story (only one of SO many) that I remember about dad. But something I remember every time I see that picture!
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