M.O.M.M.Y. Mother of Many Montana Young

Where is Thumper?

The road weary hunters returned home Thursday  with two does and a buck.   No bunnies though dear brother.   Thumper  goes down the next time..since they  obviously killed Bambi, his wife and child!

Due to the warm weather I was spared the gruesome work of dressing and preparing the meat.  We took it to a processor down the street. Yippee!!  It may take him a week or two to process since he has close to 500 other animals already.  I am still a city girl at heart...perhaps I should catch a fish  and start with that?

At any rate, we are all grateful for the bounty and the fact that our freezer will be full of meat for several months..as much as six months worth.  WOW!!

Well, either way, this  isn't about me. This is about the growing of a boy into a man.  I have been pondering the affects of  "the first hunt", "the first kill" and such matters on the heart of my son. I believe that he experienced more than the sum of those events this past week.  Has he crossed that not so imaginary line into "manhood"?   Is that what it takes?  Does he have whatever it is?  I believe a resounding YES is in order!  But is my boy ready?  Am I ready?   

He is changing quickly  and becoming a young man, almost before my eyes..leaving behind the days of childhood at a breath taking pace.  Although, I must admit,  I continue to take joy in the moments when the little boy comes out to play..literally.  The struggle between being mature and wanting to hold onto the carefree days of childhood is a heady undertaking indeed!!  I am in awe at the grace of GOD; that this very process has occurred for so many generations.  The masculine journey ahead of him is sure to take many more turns into unfamiliar territory..for both of us. But it is new for me and I want to embrace every moment of it with mercy and tenderness toward the heart of my eldest child and each one to follow!!