A Day In The Life Of An Ambulance Driver - Latest Comments in John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Anparadox — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 23:33:41 -0000

I love reading these stories. You knew him in a way I never got to. I guess that happens when your born so much later in ones life... I just remember a gentle old man. Though, I do think he treated me like a delicate flower and was tougher on the boys. But in doing so, I missed out on a lot of his personality... Its nice to get to know him better, even through your eyes. I miss him.

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Ltackett38701 — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 13:58:33 -0000

Great post, AD!!

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

misbeHaven — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:40:24 -0000

I always enjoy reading your posts, AD, but this one cut pretty close to my heart.

My big bro was the product of Mom's previous marriage, and there was a lot of resentment between us two, particularly where it came to Dad. I always figured Dad loved BB more because he was a boy... certainly Dad spent a lot more time with him than with me when we were growing up. Later I found out BB always figured Dad loved me more because I was his own... even though Dad adopted BB, but that's beside the point.

Anyway, Dad and I didn't connect much when I was growing up. He really didn't know how to relate to a girl-child, and I was too young to understand that and too full of resentment to care. The only bond we had was shooting. From the moment he and Mom gifted me with a Daisy BB rifle when I was 4, through the moment they gifted me with a Colt King Cobra when I graduated high school, until well into my adulthood, in occasional trips to the range we found some joy and some peace in being father and daughter. After I left home for college (halfway across the country), every one of my visits home included range time. Dad taught me, coached me, challenged me... but always outshot me.

Until just a few years ago, on one of those visits home. He challenged me to make some shot or other (doesn't matter what)... and I outshot him. For the first time. Ever.

He cheered and congratulated me, and gave me a silver dollar for winning. And I smiled, laughed, accepted his praise. And cried myself to sleep that night... wept for the passing of the torch, for the knowledge that he was getting older, just as I was, and that one day I wouldn't have him anymore.

In my adult years, we've grown closer, Dad and I, and found more common ground... he relates to me better as an adult, and I have a better understanding of him. We still go to the range together whenever I'm home... although my husband tags along now, too... and we still enjoy our time together. But I don't accept challenges from him anymore. I don't want to be reminded that his sun is setting.

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Nate — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:36:57 -0000

Its stories like that, which show that despite all the media says about us gunnies, there is nothing like a morning/day spent with family hunting that can give you memories you'll never forget.

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:30:54 -0000

I got (and still have) my grandfathers 1940's or 1950's era Remington 20 gauge Model 11 handed down to me when I turned 13 and was old enough to hunt. It was sort of a miniature version of the Belgium Browning A5 my father was shooting. It took more pheasants, quail, chukkars and ducks than anybody else would have expected for a 20 gauge.

A few years ago I got a chance to buy a mint Belgium built A5 and jumped at the chance. I still use it quite a bit, but get funny looks at the trap range when I'm trying to tune up for hunting season. And it has the tendancy to throw the empties about 3 stations down...

Thanks for bringing back to mind the hunting trips of my youth with my Dad and Grandfather.

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

KK — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:12:26 -0000

This was quite simply the most beautiful thing I've read in quite a while.

I miss my father too.....

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Mark — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:09:56 -0000

Thank you, AD.

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

JPG — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:11:18 -0000

Kelly, I've been following your blog since shortly afer you started it. And I greatly enjoyed your book.

With all respect to your other efforts, I judge that this blogpost is very likely your finest writing ever.

JPG

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Mrs. Who — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:36:09 -0000

Beautiful story...just beautiful. Your dad was a great man...and he passed that on to his son.

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

ASM826 — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:16:04 -0000

I own just one shotgun. A Browning A-5 Light 12. I have shot others, even the new autoloaders, but nothing calls to me, and nothing shoulders as well, as that old dinged up shotgun.

Damn, you can write.

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Fyremandoug — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:54:14 -0000

I feel the same way with Dads model 12.....Outstanding post AD

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:39:01 -0000

That brought back a flood of memories of my own father... he taught me to shoot at eight years old, and it wasn't long before we were happily amusing ourselves with the Garands and Springfields at 1K yards for hours on end.

I miss him terribly.

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Seth from Massachusetts — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:10:28 -0000

Well done AD. Well done. Those who do not know guns will never understand what they mean to us.

My dad didn't hunt or do much of any shooting, but he was interested in guns as mechanical objects and his interest started me on the way to an lifelong fascination with all things guns. The devil will get a very good deal on my soul before the '98 Krag he left me passes from my hands!

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Jay — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:26:42 -0000

thanks AD made me want to go hug my Dad & my young son & take them both to the range.

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Linda — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:10:06 -0000

Great story AD

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Airedalelover — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:23:16 -0000

Beautiful, just beautiful. Thanks!
You have a rare talent.

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Old NFO — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:33:00 -0000

Thanks for sharing that AD. Beautiful!

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Chris — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:30:48 -0000

Great story, AD. Stuff like this keeps me coming back.

Friend of mine, who knows nothing about guns, had to take an old shotgun away from his father. The old man can't tell friend from foe anymore, and when my friend opened the door to see his dad tinkering around with a shotgun, well... it was time for the gun to go somewhere else.

He asked if I'd help him get rid of the old thing. I asked what kind of shotgun it was, he didn't know, but it said 'Browning' on it. I told him that was a good start... When he pulled that 'ole hump-back out of the garage, I just knew I'd found a treasure. 1960 production Belgium 12Mag, grade 1 engraving and wood, a 20" tube with a cutts and a full set of chokes, and a 28" modified vent rib with an ivory bead.

As much as I treasure that shotgun, I occasionally feel shamed that I took what should have been an heirloom. (but no, I'm not giving it back!)

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:27:41 -0000

Your story gives me hope for my son and his dad. Hoping they'll mend their differences. But my son is already 22 so I don't know. But a very awesome story about you and your dad. Thanks for much for sharing.

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Dano — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:17:48 -0000

Very nice post. Sorta the way I feel with my grandpa, and I still have the gun he grew up with... a little Hamilton Rifle Model 27... a .22 short. More than 100 years old at this point, but every ding and scratch can tell its own story.

Thanks for the memories, and for dredging up some of mine.

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

George — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:35:25 -0000

Thank you, AD, for this most heartfelt tribute ... to a gun and to a father. In the telling, your writing opens another window yourself as a son.

Regards,

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Charles — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:12:27 -0000

My uncle gave me one of those Belgum Brownings a couple of years back. I afraid that I can't say that mine holds as much family history as yours, but it was a gift from the man that introduced my brother and I to shooting, and gun saftey. It's more than enough for me.

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

brendan — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:01:29 -0000

This Northern boy's got nothing even close to a story- or an heirloom- like that.

Dammit.

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Bob — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:46:40 -0000

Wonderful writing, AD. I've read stories in the hunting and fishing magazines that weren't one tenth that good. If you haven't been submitting these for publication, you should be.

Re: John M. Browning’s Greatest Gift

Steve R — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:31:18 -0000

I managed to make it all the way to the end without crying. Well. Almost all the way.

My dad had one of those Belgium Browning 16s as well. I was pretty good with it too, 30 years ago. Unfortunately, he sold it a few years back. Wish I'd known.

Well told, AD, well told.