The best catch of my life, and the horizon.

As all of those who read my blog may have guessed, I am very passionate about the catch. There's something about the four-part cast and the feel of a fish on the end of the line. All fishermen and women understand the rush that follows a bobber blipping below the surface. What causes it? I don't know. I am passionate, however, about the catch.

Twelve years ago this august, I began my sophomore year in High School. I was a wild teenager, with parent problems and crazy friends. I played sports, and got injured on a semi-frequent basis. On one occasion, I had to get therapy for an ankle during football. On that occasion, there was an incredibly attractive young woman with auburn hair and beautiful eyes. What can I say? I'm passionate about the catch. So, I rigged up some bait and made a cast.

My newly opened Sprite sat open on the training bench.

"You come here often?" I asked.

Auburn hair and pretty eyes might have rolled them. I don't remember. I gave the bait a desperate twitch.

"... want some Sprite?" I extended the bottle towards her. It was 7:00 AM.

"I don't drink pop in the mornings," she responded, and left.

... Dave, you know when you cast to that goldfish and you get cold-shouldered? You trout mongers, you know when you're staring down a 20" Brown and they ignore your presentation time, after time, after time?

 Oh, it was on like Donkey Kong. I bobbed. I weaved. I side casted, roll casted, used harpoons. I actually saw some activity on the line!

Then I moved.

But just as the water levels in the river of life rise and drop and create change in the landscape of its bed, I found myself in a situation to try to pursue her again. This time, though, I got a bite.

On May 12th, 2007, we effectively landed each other and mounted the trophy on our wall... minus the taxidermy.

 

 

And I'm passionate about the catch. I love you, sweety.

***

Two days ago I finished my application to Boise State University to pursue a Master's Certificate in Workplace Instructional Design. My chosen career will be in training and corporate instruction. In five years, I want to be a Training Development Manager or Corporate Instructor making $100k/year. By the grace of Almighty God, we might be able to cash flow it (and I mean that will all the reverence He deserves), and I finally feel like I have a horizon to look forward to with contribution to humanity.

Now, no matter how many or what kind of fish I bring to hand during a day's fishing outing, I come home to the best one in my life. It is because of her and her counsel that I finally was able to put my foot down and make a decision. And I feel liberated for it.

Brent McGuire once asked me, "What do you want to do for a living?"

"I want to be a dad," I said.

"That's great, but you can't be a dad without providing for your family. So you need to decide what you want to do."

Brick to the head? Yes please. That comment haunted me until recently. Now that I've made the decision, I feel much better. I have a goal, a finish line, and a direction for that part of my life. I thank God for the wife that helped me clarify it for myself.

Now, I just need to find someone to pay me to present about fishing.