Agreed. This rifle represents the heritage of my wife's family that is held with high regard and reverence. it is both celebrated and cherished and I'm fortunate to be a member of their clan.
I have very little family history. It's never been important to anyone in my family to pass on heirlooms, or heritage and it left me feeling as though a piece of my soul was empty. I had tried several times to fill in the family tree and learn my heritage before both sets of my grandparents passed, but was unable to do because they never wanted to talk about things. My parents are even worse. I was a sentimental man without a sentimental family.
My FIL actually tried to hand this rifle down to me. I was shocked and honored but insisted that it be passed to my wife. That I was just a member of the family. she IS family. He seemed to genuinely appreciate the fact that I understood the gravity of the transaction. It was the first time he had ever called me 'son' instead of 'young man' - I know it sounds silly but at the very moment I think I got some dust in my eye, and a that darn ragweed made my throat itch. This man raises world champion black and tan coon hounds for a living, raises cattle and horses and lives on the section mentioned above in . . .and me, the city kid, married his only daughter. I had a lot to prove to him. I like to think I'm getting there.
To this very day, the only heirloom I have from my family is a Case pocket knife that my grandfather carried every day of his adult life before he passed. For some reason, that's the only thing my mother thought I should have. I have nothing from my fathers side.
I have very little family history. It's never been important to anyone in my family to pass on heirlooms, or heritage and it left me feeling as though a piece of my soul was empty. I had tried several times to fill in the family tree and learn my heritage before both sets of my grandparents passed, but was unable to do because they never wanted to talk about things. My parents are even worse. I was a sentimental man without a sentimental family.
My FIL actually tried to hand this rifle down to me. I was shocked and honored but insisted that it be passed to my wife. That I was just a member of the family. she IS family. He seemed to genuinely appreciate the fact that I understood the gravity of the transaction. It was the first time he had ever called me 'son' instead of 'young man' - I know it sounds silly but at the very moment I think I got some dust in my eye, and a that darn ragweed made my throat itch. This man raises world champion black and tan coon hounds for a living, raises cattle and horses and lives on the section mentioned above in . . .and me, the city kid, married his only daughter. I had a lot to prove to him. I like to think I'm getting there.
To this very day, the only heirloom I have from my family is a Case pocket knife that my grandfather carried every day of his adult life before he passed. For some reason, that's the only thing my mother thought I should have. I have nothing from my fathers side.
