Last year when I woke on Christmas morning, I couldn’t wait to see the expression on my kids’ faces. My daughter had begged Santa for an American Girl doll and a compound bow. My son was eagerly awaiting the newest game console and a .22 rifle. Today, the doll sits staring at me with vacant eyes from my daughter’s closet, and the game console is slowly becoming outdated.
Recently we ventured out on a camping trip. There was no doll or game console in sight. The first items my kids brought to their dad to pack in the car were, you guessed it, a compound bow and a .22 rifle.
I can recall a few of the conventional gifts from my childhood. But I have no problem remembering exactly what pajamas I had on and the excitement I felt when I received my lifetime fishing license. Because of this memory, I made sure my kids got lifetime sportsman licenses as early gifts. A side note, the licenses cost less than the doll or console, especially for a child under the age of 1. It’s a forever gift for a child.
Gift giving isn’t limited to childhood. The time my husband has spent with me teaching me how to drive and tow a boat, tie a knot, cast a baitcaster, etc. are all gifts that surpass any jewelry that sits in my armoire. As we both spend time with our kids, teaching them fishing and hunting skills, gun safety and appreciation of the outdoors, I realize the enormity of what we are giving them. It goes so much deeper than the gift of the gun or the bow or the fishing rod. It is the gift of time and the knowledge that will build confidence and character that will last them a lifetime.
A lot of times we don’t even realize how passing along what we know can affect others. Once, after giving a seminar, a teenager approached me. In his own words, he thanked me for the information I had empowered him with and told me this was a gift that would last him forever. It really made me think and appreciate those who have unknowingly mentored me.
Two years ago I took up archery. A good friend spent a lot of time mentoring me with his mad skills. A few fellows at Bass Pro Shops worked with me at the range getting my bow adjusted to my specifics. All of this culminated in my first shot and a beautiful four-pointer. I may not recall any material gift I received these last two years, but I remember time spent with each of these people. They are gifts. I can now use this experience and “gift it” to my daughter or son, or anyone else willing to listen.
These gifts have empowered me with confidence that I have applied in so many different aspects of life. I may have gained confidence that I can fish and drive a boat or shoot a gun but in the big picture, I do all of that entirely on my own. I can help myself, defend myself, be myself. I only need myself. To have others in my life is icing, but definitely, not a necessity, to be who I am. These gifts defined me and molded my future.
I encourage you, if you have knowledge, to gift it. You never know how your knowledge affects someone else.
Michelle is an avid angler who competed professionally on the Women’s Bassmaster Tour. You can catch Michelle giving seminars at the Concord N.C. Bass Pro Shops, where she is their in-store local pro.
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