92xj Posted October 26, 2010 Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 First off, Tim would like to say "Thank you for all the well wishes and good thoughts about this hunt and the loss of his deer." Second, I would like to say thank you to Tim for allowing me to be a part of his journeys this season, in the past and in the future. It is an awesome thing that a Prostaffer involves us as a forum in his awesome adventures in the field. I am truely blessed to have met a great friend from these forums and feel that we will continue to grow as friends and family here. Thank you as well to all the forum members here reading the post and commenting on these adventures of our very own Tim Andrus. It's been one heck of a ride and the season is not even close to being over. 45 minutes minutes ago, Tim called and I answered like I always do. He had just arrived in Chicago and had a little bit of time on his flight to give me a call to chat and get some food for his final flight; destination, HOME! The first thing Tim asked was how the thread was going and was curious about the views and post numbers. This is something that he ask all the time, because he gets great joy in knowing we the people of RealTree are keeping track of his hunt. He then calmed back down after the news of so many views and replies and said, "I need to tell you something." I could tell in his voice it was going to be hard to tell me and I took a seat on the edge of my bed with Maggie resting her head on my lap ready for the story. Thursday before Tim left his mother called him. She said she needed a favor and asked Tim to drive to his aunts house to check on her. His aunt and mother talk every morning and this morning the phone never rang. As Tim approached the front door of his aunts house to peeped in the window to see his aunt laying on the floor of the kitchen. The door and windows were locked so Tim pushed in the door and went to his aunts side. The water was running and her walker was knocked to the ground beside her. She laid motionless on the floor and Tim knew that she had received the gift of going to a very special place, high above us. He knew what was going on and knew that she was no longer with us, but needed to hear that from a voice of someone who deals with this stuff. He picked up the phone and dialed 911. The EMTs came and told Tim the news he already knew. This was something he has never expereinced and never wants to again. So, Tim's hunting trip to Texas has started out in one of the worst ways that it could have. His head is full of all sorts of thoughts and mental images of what he has just gone through and now he's on a plane to a far off land. I can't imagine the pain, thoughts and memories running through his head at this point. Now we all know the story of the hunt with the deer that he had shot and not being able to find him. Things just seem to be getting worse and the weight of it all is bearing down on him. On his trip back home today, everything was put back into perspective of reality. When he boarded his flight from Dallas to Chicago he sat down beside a man, 5-10 years younger than him, who was sitting in the window seat of the airplane. When the flight attendant came by the man asked for a wine and the lady handed it to him. Tim thought, maybe a glass of wine would be good right now for the flight home. He asked the man how much the wine was with which he got a repsonse of 7 dollars. Tim said, "man, thats pretty steep for an airplane bottle of wine" with whcih the man replied, "Yes it is, but it's ok." The man asked Tim, "Did you see me reach for the glass and barely be able to find it." Tim noticed and said, "Yes." The man proceeded to tell Tim that his vision was going and the doctors did not expect him to be able to see at all come Christmas. Tim was speachless and continued on with small talk. The guy said he was traveling the country trying to see everything that he has wanted to see before his vision was completely gone. Time shook his hand and said, "Man, that is a great thing you're doing and wished him well on his journey." After more small talk the man said to Tim, "There is something else that I have not told you. I hve a tumor in my brain that is taking my vision from me. It is also taking my life and the reasons the doctors say I will not see at Christmas time of this year, is because I will not be around and make it to Christmas with my life." Again, Tim was speachless. Now all the memories and hardships hit Tim and he realizes that it can always be worse. During the conversation the guy was saying that instead of sitting around holding his head down about not living after the next few months, which would be hard on his mom, as the guy put it, he decided to get out and enjoy life. See the world and experience everything that he wanted to see before the end came and he would meet Tim's aunt. Again, Tim shook the man's hand when they were unloading off the plane and wished him the best with everything. Tim is now on his last leg of the flight headed home to his family with a new outlook and life. He is greatful, as we all are, but has been given the gift of seeing things in a whole new perspective. What a rollercoaster it has been of good and bad. It's been hard and I will pray for peace for Tim and his family as well as the man that Tim met on the plane. This was pretty hard to type, like is was to hear, but it opened my eyes up just like it did Tim. I am not sure how to end this other than, be with the lord, hold your head high, be confident in all you do, love your family and friends and live your life to the fullest. RIP Tim's aunt and Lord be with the man that Tim has met and carry him on an amazing journey before he reaches you in your great Kingdom. Again, Tim wants everyone to know he is thankful and greatful for the well wishes and followings of his hunts and journeys. He will hopefully be able to get on for a brief minute tomorrow but has a lot of family stuff to take care of at his aunt's house and needs to spend time with his family. I wish you the best my friend. -Ben, proud member of the RealTree forums. Hug your family and tell them you love them as often as possible. I hope I did not miss to many details of the story and sorry for the typo's if there are any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SourthenILdeerhunter Posted October 26, 2010 Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 sorry for ur loss tim i know its tough im glad im not a pro staffer cause i would have called off the hunt to be with the family that must have been tough. ill keep u and ur family in my prayers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA_Spike_King Posted October 26, 2010 Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 Thanks for the update Ben! Prayers for you and your family Tim. Gods speed brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted October 26, 2010 Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 That is pretty hard to take before a trip like that and quite a message on the way home. My deepest sympathy for the Tim and his family on the loss of his Aunt. And may the man taking his life to the fullest see it all! thanks for sharing all that Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7th Posted October 26, 2010 Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 What a real eye opener, I know it is always hard to see that things can always be worse and walk away with a new prospective in life. I know Tim is a class act and will keep your family and new friend in our prayers. Don’t know if Tim Remembers me or my family (from what I have seen of him, I bet he does) but I meet Tim at Cabela’s in WV just before I left for Iraq and he really impressed my boys and they still talk about that trip. They think he is better the Michael Waddel (SP?). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted October 26, 2010 Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 that's not good news at all! Tim, Lori, and the rest of the family are in my prayers. the gentleman on the plane has prayers coming from this way as well. I don't know anything about him, but what he's doing is respectable enough. I went on a hunt with my uncle and he got a call saying my little cousin could have swine flu. His focus and confidence was shot the whole hunt and my little cousin ended up fine. I can't imagine how tough it was to keep your head in the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted October 26, 2010 Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 My heart and prayers are with you and the family Tim. And my heart and prayers go out to that guy on the plane with you. Life is short, and we have to enjoy it while we can and trying not to worry too much about the small stuff. Losing your deer is the small stuff buddy, but you know that already. Thank you Ben. As a family member, you make us all proud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Andrus Posted October 26, 2010 Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 It was a tough pill to swallow this week, my aunt was a great lady and wished to be cremated . This allowed me to go on the hunt and clear my head due to the fact that the memorial service would be in a week or so. and then my luck got a little worse with losing the deer. But after talking with Vincent my thoughts were things could be much worse than the seem or are . Talk to ya soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted October 26, 2010 Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 Wow, glad I opened this thread. Isn't it amazing how it takes something so powerful to happen to help us open our eyes, and truly cherish what we have? We get down on ourselves when something goes wrong at work or home, a lost deer, or a missed hunting opportunity. But in the big picture, what really matters the most to you / us? Family, friends and health. God Bless you and your family Tim, may the Good Lord hold you close and keep you by His side during your time of grief. I believe God put you on that plane, and sat you next Vincent for a reason. Not just for you, but for him as well..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Andrus Posted October 26, 2010 Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muleyman Posted October 26, 2010 Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 My prayers are with u tim! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted October 26, 2010 Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 Can't say it any better than my buddy Tom did. I know in my own life, I think my problems have only made me appreciate life even more. Try to live life to the fullest, and keep things in perspective. Hang in there Tim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted October 26, 2010 Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 Wow, glad I opened this thread. Isn't it amazing how it takes something so powerful to happen to help us open our eyes, and truly cherish what we have? We get down on ourselves when something goes wrong at work or home, a lost deer, or a missed hunting opportunity. But in the big picture, what really matters the most to you / us? Family, friends and health. God Bless you and your family Tim, may the Good Lord hold you close and keep you by His side during your time of grief. I believe God put you on that plane, and sat you next Vincent for a reason. Not just for you, but for him as well..... VERY WELL SAID!!!! I to believe God does everything for a reason......So you sit where you did by whom you did for a reason......For you, for Vincent and for ALL of us reading this thread! My thought and prayers are with you Tim and your family as well as Vincent and his! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted October 26, 2010 Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 Oh boy...My condolences on the loss of your Aunt Tim. Prayers headed you and your family's way. Vincents also. Things get put in order of importance every now and then by our great maker. Hope we are all enough smart enough to see what God reveals to us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted October 27, 2010 Report Share Posted October 27, 2010 A powerful message Tim...Thanks for sharing it!!! Prayers from Linda and I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Andrus Posted October 27, 2010 Report Share Posted October 27, 2010 glad I had the chance to meet him, truly a gentleman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted October 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2010 Either my memory sucks or I didnt hear his name when talking on the phone with Tim. It was also an overload of overwhelming information. I was speahless most of the conversation, just sitting there thinking and taking it all in. I wish you all could have heard it in person, I am sure I missed some details. Sorry about all the "mans" in the story. I would go with my memory on that one. Tim, I am glad you met Vincent and were able to hear his story. Prayers continued for you, the family, Vincent and his family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted October 27, 2010 Report Share Posted October 27, 2010 prayers said for your aunt, tim. and what a great story. sure does put our problems into perspective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 27, 2010 Report Share Posted October 27, 2010 Thanks for sharing this story Ben, and Tim. Sorry for your loss Tim, prayers on the way for your family. Got to also agree with Tom. Hope Vincent is able to see everything he wishes and live the remainder of his life to the fullest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted October 27, 2010 Report Share Posted October 27, 2010 Sorry for your loss Tim. Prayers on the way for your family. Wow, glad I opened this thread. Isn't it amazing how it takes something so powerful to happen to help us open our eyes, and truly cherish what we have? We get down on ourselves when something goes wrong at work or home, a lost deer, or a missed hunting opportunity. But in the big picture, what really matters the most to you / us? Family, friends and health. Well said Tom. I have had a lot of time to think these last few days, driving back and forth to my aunts house (an drive hour each way), and what you said pretty much sums up everything I have been feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Andrus Posted October 28, 2010 Report Share Posted October 28, 2010 yes I forgot to reply to that message Tom said ... Well said! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBomb500 Posted October 28, 2010 Report Share Posted October 28, 2010 Sorry for your loss Tim. We'll be praying for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 28, 2010 Report Share Posted October 28, 2010 Our time on earth is a gift, that is why it is called the present. Condolences to you and your family Tim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted November 3, 2010 Report Share Posted November 3, 2010 Thoughts and prayers going out for you and your family Tim. It is amazing you met a special person like Vincent on the plane to help you through this trying time. Wow, glad I opened this thread. Isn't it amazing how it takes something so powerful to happen to help us open our eyes, and truly cherish what we have? We get down on ourselves when something goes wrong at work or home, a lost deer, or a missed hunting opportunity. But in the big picture, what really matters the most to you / us? Family, friends and health. God Bless you and your family Tim, may the Good Lord hold you close and keep you by His side during your time of grief. I believe God put you on that plane, and sat you next Vincent for a reason. Not just for you, but for him as well..... Very well said Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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