Needless to say, I'm humbled by the more than generous and genuine out pouring of sympathy and love from the members of this board. I'm simply at a loss for words, but I'll try.

First, I'm absolutely flabergastged that you all would shut the place down for an hour. And in memory of a girl that none of you knew. She has from time to time over the years made reference to "MY Internet Friends".... "Your hunting buddies on line".... "The sickos with no life"(well that might be mine) .... anyway, the place has at times been the topic(most of the time) of discussions not always on the positive side. Always in jest of course, but still with a hint of jealously that I would at times forgo time and conversation with her to talk to imaginary friends and criminals online.[8D] She didn't always understand my hunting but allowed me a lot of latitude over the years because she knew it brought me much joy and it was something I just simply had to do. You folks are an extension of that joy and pursuit. This truly is the greatest collection of knowledge and misfits on the internet.

I used to have the idea that all this mushy stuff and talk and tributes to people most of us didn't know was out of place and inappropriate. I don't know why, I guess part of my tough guy...I can handle anything blah blah blah stuff. After all, I was the great white warrior who had seen man and beena manat his worst and thought the rest of the world were pansys. My motto had always been, "get on with your life" I guess. Needless to say, my wife of 35 years took that edge off me and showed me I'm just a pansy with the rest of the world. The woman literally saved my life and made me a decent dad. She made it possible for me to go to sleep crying and wake up crying, but knowing it's going to be alright. The love will always be there.

For you "criminals"to take the time and make the efforts to celebrate that love with me is truly humbling. The tough guy sits here crying with joy in his heart and saddness that she's gone.

Time will go on and things will become better. I will always remember and will forever have a new place in my heart for you crazy people with no life. The last week my wife was a live she told me to go do the things I gave up the past year. She said she was sorry I had no life of my own the past few months. She told me to go hunting, visit my hunting friends and make every day count. That's the woman I married. She was dying and knew it, yet was worried about me to the end. That from a woman that really didn't like hunting, but she loved me. I was the luckiest guy in the world for 35 years. I'll survive with those good times always in my heart.

Now I suggest we get this board back to a normal keel. The mods have just had it too easy.[8D] We all miss Huntingals jokes.[:'(][:'(] Mr 4pt is becoming mushy...the universe is out of balance. I do thank you for that, but I need my friends and enemies to be themselves again. I'm not going to work anymore because I don't need to. I plan to carry out my wife's wishes... I'm going hunting. I plan to chase the seasons across the country this fall and want ya'll to follow along. In the off season I'm dedicating myself to volunteering to help old and sick in anyway I can. I found while we were going through chemo and radiation there are so many people that go through this alone. Families quite often can not cope. Transportation is a problem etc etc etc. I plan to help.

We will lay my wife to rest in Georgia on Saturday. Think of me that day if you would. It will be so hard. Say a prayer for her if you're so inclined and we'll go on together. I'll part with one thought. Hug your family everyday. Love them every day. Tell them every day. The little crap does not matter people. When the dust has settled I have some words of wisdom I'll post. If it helps one person it'll be worth it.

Thanks David, God bless you and you family.

My thoughts exactly.... We all are here for you David. We're one big disfunctional family, I guess...

Tell you what, when you are coming back from Georgia, stop by my place here in Richmond, VA. If you need a pit stop, something to eat, a cup of coffee, ...whatever, I'm here.

PM me if you want and I'll give you my address and a mapquest map.

Butch A.

I truly cannot imagine the pain of separation after being together for 35-years. This month my wife and I will complete our 23rd year and like you she has been the pillar of my existance.
Like your wife--Jacque, would much rather see the deer in the field-- alive, the raccoons out of a trap, the turkey in the field and not hanging from a wall, but yet with all her feelings for her beliefs she will still prepare a great deer dish, a Thanksgiving Wild Turkey dinner and while cleaning our home she will also remove the dust from my mounts hanging around the home.
I cannot imagine what it would be like living without her--even though it just as hard 'sometimes' living with her .
Our gals are our best friends.
On the 30th April last year my son edged himself into our bed @ 4.30 AM,stroked his mother on her head and said to her--"you're not going to miss the chance to see your son take his first turkey are ya" his Mom half asleep, smiled, got out of bed and at 6.55 AM that morning shared in the joy of our son first wild turkey kill. That's the gal she is--and I sincerely understand your brief remarks on the life you shared with Beth.
You will all be in my prayers next Saturday, cry your heart out and hug your son and tell Beth you will carry on her wishes until you meet again.
God Bless David.

God Bless dave. Many prayers are coming your way for you and your family. You won't be alone on saturday, you most difinetly will be in our thoughts. Take care.

Bobby

Dave, you take care and our families prayers will continue with you. Hey Me Crazy and a misfit ?? come on now.

Dave, we all love you man. Take care of buisness and let us know if you need anything! It is not going to be easy, but try your damedest not to make it hard either.

oof, i haven't had a cry like this since mom passed. thanks david for you honesty, your caring, and your ability with words. you touched me with this post, and i thank you. john

My condolences David. We wish you and your family the best and good luck with your future hunting adventures

As I sit here in tears, you have my deepest condolences David. I can't imagine how difficult of time you are going thru.