Special Gift

[Burnsie]

Not long after I married my wife 30+ years ago, my father in law showed me the handful of recurves he had.  You could tell they were not wall hangers, they had been used and they showed their age. I was very new to the traditional bow scene at the time but I knew enough to spot the '69 Bear Super Kodiak right away. I questioned him about it and found out he had bought it new and had hunted with it quite a bit back then.  The bow had a dried up and cracked leather side plate the arrow rest was gone it had some athletic tape wrapped around it for some reason, it had seen its better days.  Even though, he could tell I was mesmerized by it.  Fast forward to about 10-12 years ago and I came up with the idea to have the bow sent out to be totally restored for Father's Day and his Birthday which are close to the same date. It was just piled up with a bunch of misc stuff in a basement storage room, I knew he wouldn't miss it, if I snuck it out. I managed to get it out of the house with my mother-in-laws help and sent it off to the BowDoc in Michigan.  I got it back before Father's day and it was beautiful - he did a fantastic job.  My father-in-law was thrilled and couldn't believe it was the same bow.  Fast forward again to last weekend - my wife and I are invited over to the in-laws for lunch on Sunday after church.  When we arrived I walked into the living room to great my father-in-law and I noticed he had the Super Kodiak out next to him.  I commented something like " Oh you got out your Super Kodiak - Nice!"  He said "You mean your Super Kodiak"  Me - "no sir that is your bow"  Him- "Yes it is my bow, which means I can do whatever I want with it, and I want you to have it - I am 81 years old and won't be using it, and I know you will appreciate it"
Instant lump in my throat - All I could do was give him a big hug and say Thank You!.
I told him his bow would be with me until I passed it down to my sons - it will stay in the family. It was an unexpected great day!  Here are some pics of my special '69 Bear Super Kodiak.
[attachment=1,msg3023538][attachment=2,msg3023538][attachment=3,msg3023538][attachment=4,msg3023538][attachment=5,msg3023538]

[GCook]

Priceless.

[Steelhead]

Awesome gift and Hierloom.

Could not have picked a better bow for Bow Doc to restore.Gorgous!

[mj seratt]

Most excellent, all the way around!

Murray

[Roy from Pa]

That is very special....

[PICKNGRIN]

What a great story!  Thanks for sharing.

[supernaut]

Beautiful bow, better story!   

Enjoy it in good health!

[Maclean]

What a great story. Thanks for sharing it with us!

[Duker]

What a priceless gift to be given:::Enjoy 

[toddster]

That was wonderful for you to share.  I had similar experiance with one of my grandfathers.  Now I am the one who is starting to pass the legacy on.
It is moving and touching to make a moment, that will be remembered long after gone.

[Elkchaser]

Awesome story. Thank you for sharing.

[5deer]

   very nice     

[RIVERWOLF]

 

[Gun]

Great Story. Great heirloom and beautiful Bow.

[heavyd]

That's awesome.

[Sam McMichael]

Very nice! I hope some of my bows get passed down. It looks pretty iffy right now.

[Hood]

Very cool story with a very cool bow

[STICKBENDER98]

  Awesome story, hope to see some harvest pics with it!!!  Keep the campfire burning!!!


Jason

[Jegs.mich]

Great story!

[Bowwild]

The best of the early recurves.