Papa

My grandfather passed away this afternoon.  His health steadily declined over the past month or so.  We got to see him and my grandma when we were home in August for our family reunion.  He was a good man, a family man, a lowkey funny man.  My entire family is, of course, sharing stories and photos of him on social media.  What I want to share is longer than what most social media posts are, so here is a fun story I have of the man we all knew as Papa.

Several years ago, we were home around Christmas time because my wife's grandfather had passed away.  All of the services were going to be in the spring time because you can't really do much in terms of burial in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in December, but we wanted to be with our family.  During that week we were home, we took a trip to see my family for their annual Christmas get together.  Papa suggested that if we were going to be around for a bit that I come out to hunting camp to hunt for a day or two.  After clearing it, I went out there with my dad and Papa.  As we were leaving camp to go to our respective seats, dad told me 'nothing that doesn't have antlers.'  I said okay, not thinking I would see much only having just a few hours of light.  Papa turned to me and said 'Bullshit.  Charlie he's home for just a few days.  Shoot whatever the fuck you want!'  I looked at him, looked at Dad, shrugged my shoulders and said okay.  Just before sunset, I had a small doe walk into the bait pile.  I waited for a bit hoping for maybe another (read: bigger) one come in with it, contemplated, then shot it.  This was the first deer I had ever shot.  We didn't hunt much as kids, which looking back at it I hate myself for that.  I walked back to camp and Papa had just gotten there before I did.

Papa: 'See anything?'
Me: 'Yup.'
Papa: 'Well did you dress it out?'
Me: 'I didn't have a knife. (I wasn't planning on hunting so didn't come home prepared) Papa, this is my first deer.'
Papa: 'Oh?'

He then walks over to where the Crown Royal was stored and pulled out two shot glasses.  He poured, we toasted, then had one more.  Just Papa and I sitting at King Pine Camp.  Sharing a few shots of whiskey.  It was everything.