Excited about the first true hunt of the year, I eagerly, but groggily, get out of bed at 4 a.m. I load the last of the gear, start breakfast, and go to wake my 6-year-old hunting partner, Connor. This is where it begins to go bad.

After a few minutes of effort, I finally get Connor awake enough to understand that it was time to go hunting. With a very confused look, he checks the window, looks at me, and says "Dad, it's dark outside."

Uh-oh!

He gets up and starts to get ready. Then exhaustion sets in. He melts down about not wanting to go. He's too tired, and he doesn't want to kill ducks because they're cute and cuddly.

Oh, geez! 

Then, my daughter, Katie, gets up because she has had an accident. Much drama ensues. My wife gets up to deal with her. Humor is in short supply.

Katie realizes that we are leaving to hunt. She wails at the top of her lungs because she will miss us.

Two kids wailing and my wife in a foul mood, my dreams of a glorious hunt are fading fast.

My wife leaves me to my fate with two distraught kids. I console my daughter and calm her enough to get her back to bed. I turn my attention to my son, pooched lip, crocodile tears. Clearly, he's not up to an early hunt. Resigned to my fate, I tell him to go back to bed.

I slip in to our bedroom to tell my wife that we are not going hunting. In the iciest voice I've ever heard from my sweet bride, she says, "Now I know why they have duck camps."

I ask if that means I can buy a cabin near Stuttgart.

As she rolls over, she mumbles, "Yes."

Having salvaged something of the day, I dutifully assume my place on the couch to finish my long winter's nap.

© 2009 Jeff Corley All Rights Reserved

Jeff Corley works for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. He and his wife, Jill, and their two kids live in Central Arkansas.

Photo/Jeff Corley (Connor Corley)
Photo/ABSC (Jeff Corley)