Remembering Daddy and Thanking Bill
8 Comments Published by David Blanton on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 2:26 PM.
A little over a year ago my life changed forever. The person I learned to hunt with (not from) and the person with whom I laughed the most with when reflecting on the “insane” mistakes we made while trying to learn to bowhunt back in the late 70s was gone. My dad, Don, died suddenly while working in the yard. For those of you who have lost a parent, a brother, a sister, a someone-I-love-very-much person to an unexpected death, you know the feeling. I’ll never forget the time and place I was when I got the news.
My youngest son, Lucas, (9 at the time) and I had just checked into our room in a little hotel in Northern Michigan. I had a speaking engagement at a church that night and Lucas viewed it as a grand time to skip school and join me on the trip. When my sister called me and told me the news, Lucas and I, both sobbing uncontrollably, fell to our knees, hand-in-hand, . . . and prayed for God’s comfort for all of us, especially Mom.
The immediate concern was getting home. It became clear that I would not have time to get home that night because of connections. The next phone call I got was from Bill Jordan. He told me to get to the nearest airport as quickly as I could and there would be a private jet there shortly to take Lucas and me home.
I would get to hug my Mom that night.
I don’t want to know what that jet cost that day — Don’t care. But when people ask me what kind of guy is Bill Jordan, the answer is found in his actions on that day last March.
Now, when I relive the day Dad died and the sadness we experienced, I also remember Bill’s heart.
I am Blessed.
(The above photo is of my father with a pronghorn he took with his recurve while hunting in Wyoming. I know, the photo is cut off, but that is just life when you are working inside of size restraints.)
David,
The old saying goes that "Time will heal all wounds" That type of "wound" runs deeper than most of us admit, though. You are truly blessed with a true friend like Bill. God Bless and keep the tradition alive with your children. Passing on this great heritage is slowly diminishing so we all must keep it alive through our own kids! Thanks for sharing:)
David,
I just wanted to drop a note & thank you for your public stance on your Christain faith. I think it is great that in your position, you make it very clear where you stand. May God richly bless you & yours for your faithful stand for Him. I pray that God will be glorified in your daily contacts through your testimony & witness.
Im sorry for your loss david. I also hunt with my father all the time and he is my best friend. Now that we are both getting older it is hard to even think of him not being there, and the first time I have to step into the woods without him will be a very sad day.
David,
I also want to thank you for your public stance on your Christian faith. My son and I have hunted with Bill and Tyler in South Texas and reading about his thoughtfulness in your time of need simply backs up what we think of the Jordan family. I pray that you and your family will continue to be blessed by the Lord. Also, good luck this year at the Duke Ranch (I know Brett).
God Bless
David,
Thank you for letting us hunters know your heart and i believe that is what make us proud to say we are hunters. It not always about the hunt but the time you spend together. I will be praying for peace and comfort for you and just think you will be walking on streets of gold with him one day.
Thank You
Rod
David,
I was deaply moved by your entry about your father. May our Eternal Father's grace be sufficient. There are so many questions about life, and it is good to know that one day we will understand why things happen when they do. I will absolutley keep you and your family im my prayers. I have gained a new respect for you David. I want to thank you for sharing your heart. I think that says something about you. Your a real person, that your more than David the Monster Buck Hunter. Thanks for letting us experience life with you David. May Christ be you strength, and run to him when you feel like it is to much to handle. Till we meet in Glory, I'll be prayin.
Your Brother in Christ
Randy
David,
I remember the hunts that I was blessed to be able to have my dad on. I remember the day, the place, how I felt, everything that happened on the day that I got that dreaded phone call a month after my 27th birthday. About the time you think you are over it, it hits you again. Prayers and friends helped me.
Jason Elliott
Texas
David,
I too lost my Dad almost 3 years ago. I know exactly what you have and are going through. My Dad taught me all about the great outdoors also. May God bless you and your family. And thank God for GREAT friends like Bill Jordan !!
Robert Owen
Alabama