Cleaning Fish

Posted by on Apr 28, 2012 in Bob, Pre-departure | 2 Comments
Cleaning Fish

Sliding a knife down the back of a fish, guts slopping on the cutting board, carving off chunks of meat …  Cleaning fish is what you have to do after having a great day out on the water. A “go day” as my grandfather used to refer to those magical days soaking in the sun and catching fish in the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys. Cleaning fish is the price for having fun. However, in our family the ritual is something more. When I was a kid we used to catch lots of fish. I never thought about the hours my dad and granddad spent cleaning fish – it’s just what they did. Now though, it’s my turn. After enjoying watching Adam and Benjamin load the cooler with “keepers”, my dad and I clean fish. What is an incredibly mundane task is actually very rich. My dad and I stand side by side, doing men’s work, drinking beer, talking about life, sports, family, or just working together quietly. It’s a bonding moment that adds quality to life.

The last few weeks before leaving the USA we visited with family and friends. Those moments are precious and I don’t take them for granted. There is nothing more valuable and no better way to spend time even, or especially, if it is cleaning fish.

fishing at Loo Key, FL

 

2 Comments

  1. Chuck Wagner
    April 30, 2012

    I can relate. Some of my best memories are fishing with dad and cleaning. He wasn’t a beer drinker but got snockered on sweet ice tea. Now I just drink the beer!

    Reply
    • Bob
      May 1, 2012

      Hello Chuck. How is it? As you can probably sense we continue to be blessed. Everyday we have new God moments. Meeting some terrific people, learning lots, having fun. Thanks for hanging with us. Hope you guys are doing GREAT. Bob

      Reply

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