I believe..

I believe one of the greatest gifts anyone has ever given me is when a young lady told me last evening that I should write an essay on what I believe.

I believe it was another great gift when my daughter further filled me in, later last night, on how the “I believe” essays originated.

I believe my “I believe” list may be controversial for some folks that have some opposing value systems.

I believe that differences of opinion are okay.

I believe it is possible to learn to use guns safely.
I believe it essential to allow children to find interests and activities that suit their personalities.
I believe in Santa.
I believe in telling my kids that Santa is everyone that knows them and loves them.
I believe that Santa means that my children will find presents on Christmas morning that their parents could not possibly afford all on their own.

I believe that pets should be well-cared for throughout their entire natural lives, not just when they are young and playful and mostly healthy.

(I believe the same holds true for individuals and spouses in marriages).

I believe in the value of youth organizations like Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts and 4H.
I believe humans are pro-social beings and benefit from mutual collaboration.
I believe mental health issues are not meant to be hidden but should be illuminated so people with mental health issues can access appropriate treatment and live full and happy lives.

I believe everyone has something useful to contribute to society.

I believe my paternal grandfather would have been damned proud that my son shot in the black (hit a 1″ bulls eye) after firing only four rounds at 10 Meters out at his first 4H shooting group session last week.
I believe it was an honor and more than a challenge for that same grandfather to have given me his cherished pre-’64 Winchester .30-.30 when I was 12-years-old.
I believe I would have benefitted from owning an air rifle (pellet and/or BB gun) when I was a kid before being taught to shoot a deer rifle.

I believe in raising children to become individuals that can think for themselves, express themselves, own all of their feelings, and take responsibility for their actions.
I believe the above statement is true whether raising a girl or a boy.
I believe in apologizing and making things right when a mistake has been made and someone has been hurt.
I believe making mistakes is part of being human and that in order to grow, mistakes will and need to be made.

I believe that those close to our family admire my daughter for her persistency and courage.

I believe hard work should be followed by rest and relaxation. In that order.

I believe no one should own a gun until they are ready to learn how to use it responsibly.
I believe my son is ready to own a gun.
I believe that my son would have eventually owned the .30 -.30 Winchester that my grandfather gave me if it had not burned in a tent fire in the Blue Mountains and the remnants put in a tree at the Water Hole hunt on the Wenatchee side.
I believe my son will find a present under the tree this year that is in the shape of a rectangular box but that there will not be a .30 -.30 rifle in it.
I believe my son is currently too young for a .30 -.30 (he is about a year younger than I was when I owned one).
I believe that a Daisy Avanti Champion 499 BB gun will suit my son just right because he can use it safely in our back yard and that both my husband and I can help to teach our boy how to take care of it, to shoot it safely, and how to be responsible with his firearm. I believe there are some people, maybe even some of those from my family of orgin, that will wan t to know what this gun model is…so:

 

http://www.daisy.com/node/106

I believe that Daisy is on the right track when they offer a steep discount (only on the phone when asked directly) on the BB gun we just ordered to parents who have their child involved in a formal shooting program. (None of which disputes the theory that Santa does exist, sometimes for parents too!).

I believe that my dad taught me to fish and shoot well. 

I believe my dad may also have been on to something when he said that kids that grow up just to shoot targets do not necessarily make good hunters as they are not experienced with the natural environment where things can change quickly and game is often moving. I am still thinking on this but know I am on the right track with my son owning a gun that will become an extension of himself. One he can practice with every day as he chooses. Doesn’t hurt, either, that the Daisy Avanti Champion 499 is a lever action just like my old .30 – .30. It has a peep sight and all. Doesn’t hurt, either, that the air rifle my son shot into the black is one of the most accurate pellet rifles in the world. When I saw the pattern our boy shot, I knew it was with a Daisy Avanti. Turns out it was a Daisy 853. So… a used Daisy 853 – has also been ordered and is being shipped to our house. That gun will belong to our boy one day but for just a little while – til he is a bit older – my husband and I better hang onto it for him – except when he is practicing with it – I need to get some target practice in with it too…remind myself how to breathe through the shot. Remind myself of who I am. At one time, I was a dead eye shooter. And that was a long, long time ago.

I believe in the merits of learning good breath control whether on a yoga mat, on a gun range, or in the natural environment preparing to squeeze the trigger to make a clean kill.

I believe that healthy family values and long-standing traditions are important.
I believe that if my son shows interest, that I can teach him to hunt.
I believe that it is morally and ethically correct to reject values that are not healthy and do not contribute to society.
I believe that guns and booze do not mix.
I believe it is possible for people to change for the better.
I believe my husband is an exceptionally gifted commercial fisherman and that he is even better with me by his side.

I believe fishing and hunting goes hand in hand with conservation and stewardship of our land and oceans.

I believe in art, theater, music, singing, flowers on the table, lit candles on the mantle, church choirs, that the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written, and that it is beautiful to honor the Judeo-Christian tradition of worshipping a newborn baby in a manger.

I believe life is about finding a healthy balance.

I believe that the universe (God) is looking out for me and my family.

I believe in love.
I believe in forgiveness.
I believe in patience.
I believe in hope.

I believe that of all of my beliefs that hope is the most important one.

I believe that every day is a gift and that it is my responsibility to live life well and to continue to grow in wisdom.

I believe I am embracing the more positive of the values that my parents taught me and if I were either of them, I’d be proud of me. (I also know that when my mother clicks on the link below that she will not be able to resist singing along).

I believe that the “Hallelujah Chorus” may represent how our son will feel when he opens a certain rectangular shaped package on Christmas Eve this year of 2014. The gift with the tag that will read, “Love, Mom and Dad”. The one that is the next step of him becoming a man and carrying on rich family traditions in a healthy way.

I believe that when I hear the “Hallelujah Chorus” that, even in my mind, I can hear my daughter’s beautiful voice singing loud and clear in all the choruses I have witnessed her being a part of over the years. Such a gift!  This Christmas season she is an adult and having her in our presence is a present I will always treasure!

I believe that we all have gifts and talents. What are yours?