Deer Season on the Plains

Deer season has come and gone in Missouri, well, gun season is over, but it opened today in a neighboring state. The neighboring state just happens to be where my parents live. Daddy is also one that embraces the spirit of "life on a preservation." Last night after speaking with my mother I said my little prayer for Daddy's deer hunting. It's nothing elaborate, I just simply ask that he might have success. The last few years he's commented on just how much life has changed regarding his hunting efforts. I'm sure the fact that he's aged through these changes plays a part, but I doubt that fact is even considered in his perspective of how things have changed. The city limits have expanded, the clear and safe shots one can take have been reduced, and let's face it, the older anyone gets, the more intense the weather feels, so for the past few years he's commented that he better enjoy it, it may be his last year to hunt. Since I've been hearing him say that, I've been talking to G-d about giving him success. I'm not sure if I do that so he'll be encouraged to look forward to it another year, or so he "retires from hunting" with a big win! It doesn't matter, success is great either way, and I, personally believe G-d wants us to succeed and also honors prayers prayed for others. A few years back, Daddy got his trophy, but as we all already knew, the trophy bucks are not the tastiest meat in the freezer, but we don't waste. After that trophy, though, he's gone back to large does and young bucks, and the meat is excellent. Between what I raise and what he hunts, I pass the meat case up, right along with the dairy case. Now, back to Daddy's big plans. I'm not even sure where he was when he called me this morning, but I think he was in his tree house. It began as a deer stand several years ago and now has all the comforts an amenities of a den. Anyway, deer season had begun at dawn and my phone rang about two hours after sunrise. I could tell by his voice, he'd already been successful. He asked if I was ready to do some processing. He always wants me to process his game and I consider it a privilege. But enough of my "feelings" about hunting season and our father/daughter bond. He proclaimed he had not one, but two and he was pleased . . . and DONE, already! It really does thrill me to know, every year I get a little closer to living more fully off the land. Whether it's by Native American heritage or Scriptural promise, it is what my people have done for centuries; and it is my blessed privilege to be a part in continuing the legacy!

The prayer for success:
And he said, O Adonai, the G-d of my master Abraham, let me [him] do well in what I [he] have undertaken this day . . . Torah of Holy Scripture