by Tim Stewart

Created on: February 21, 2009

When Did He Become a Better Fisherman Than Me?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

I meant to be there for all the important events in his life. I was there when he was conceived. I was there when he was born. I was there for his first step and the first time he rode a bicycle without training wheels. Then, I got busy..

I don't remember the first important event that I missed (probably because I wasn't there), but once I missed one, it seemed like I was missing them all. It wasn't like I planned to miss his birthday. I had commitments I had to complete. After all, I gave him nicer presents when I missed something, so why should he mind.
Then came the day when I realized how busy I had become. I looked at my thirteen year old son and it hit me. Here was a commitment that I had been overlooking for some time. I had better take some time for him before it was too late.
"Son," I said. "Would you like to go fishing?" I had been an excellent fisherman growing up and knew that this was an art I should pass on to my son. I wanted to be there when he learned how to fish.
"Sure , if you have the time," he responded unenthusiastically.
"Well, I am making the time right now," I announced. "Let's go."
"Dad," he started off slowly. "You always said that things like this need to be planned. You would get mad at me if I just walked up and said, let's go fishing', without a plan."
"I've got a plan," I fudged on the truth.
"Well," he said as he stared at me waiting to hear the plan.
"We grab our poles, we buy some bait and we go to the big water and catch fish," I proudly stated.
"Dad," my son began sounding like I must have whenever I would start to lecture him. "You haven't been fishing in ten years. The lines on your poles all need replacing. You don't know what kind of fish are biting in the 'Big Water' so you don't know what type of bait to buy. And as for going now, didn't I hear mom say something about a dentist appointment this morning."
"How's next Saturday for you?" I asked.
"Fine, Dad," he said. "Is there anything I can do to help get ready?"
"Sure," I responded. "Here's ten dollars. Would you buy some line for my poles and get them ready, please."
"I need twenty, and you need a license," he stated with an authority that belied his age.
"I knew that," I said as I gave him the money and escaped the room with what was left of my self respect.
I was dumbfounded. I didn't know whether I should go back in the room and chastise him for insubordination

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