Letting go
I was chatting with a mate over the weekend, an older chap, who told me he's selling his firearms.
It didn't surprise me considering his age and the requirements around ownership in respect of handguns; I could see he was a little unhappy about it but he's like me, decisive, and once committed to a course of action he stays the course, even though that course may not be a happy one to follow.
The guy was a Major in the Australian army at the end of his military career which spanned over thirty five years and he's gone back as a contractor/advisor on a couple of occasions. He's been deployed multiple times and is a legit leader...but everyone gets old and now in his late seventies he's decided it's time to stop pulling triggers after many years of doing so as a hobby and job - not that Majors in the army generally squeeze triggers, but he used to.
He wants me to buy a couple of his handguns and it's likely I will - He said, "I want them to go to a good home," and he seemed happy when I indicated I'd pick them up but I could see he'd miss them.
Here, one can own rifles and shotguns (with the right licensing) and there's no need to be involved in a club or range.
With handguns though one needs to shoot a minimum number of times annually at a licensed and registered range to maintain one's handgun license which is a category over and above rifle and shotgun licensing. This fellow is having difficulty maintaining the number of shoots required for the calibres, he has (age is an insidious beast) and without those sign-off's he legally cannot maintain the licensing and that means the guns have to go.
For a lot of his life firearms have played a pivotal role as a tool of the trade and hobby as well, the same for me, and I know that relinquishing his handgun license is a big deal and difficult to do; older folks have the same feelings when it comes to relinquishing their driving license as well, understandably. I'll be the same at some stage too - I have a lot of firearms and have to maintain a lot of 'qualification shoot' to maintain the licensing, at some stage I'll not be able to maintain the shooting tempo. I'm sad for the guy as it'll leave a big gap in his life and one that will be difficult to fill.
Have you ever had to let a loved hobby go because you cannot maintain it for some reason or other?
What was it and why? How did it make you feel and how did you deal with the gap it left in your life? Conversely, how do you think you'd feel if you had to let go of something you still currently do and enjoy? Do you think you'd try and fill the void with something else?
Feel free to comment if you'd like.
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
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Image(s) in this post are my own
I used to do Calligraphy as a hobby but moving several times and not replacing the art equipment, I let go. Often, I miss it and think that I'll get back to it again someday. I replaced that Hobby by doing blogs on Hive and learning a language on Duolingo. I started out with Spanish and then changed to Dutch - Proud to say I have a 977 day streak - proud of myself for never missing a day.
Learning a language is something many turn to and I think it's great because it keeps the mind active and is also something that might come in very useful.
Totally agree @galenkp
I suppose it is sort of like my electrical licences. I have just had to renew them all. Data, high risk, electrical ticket and a union card. I am sort of hoping to get out of the trade sooner rather than later as it is a young person game but I thought might be good to just have them as back up. Just in case I change my mind but once I am out I doubt I will go back. It is harder letting go than I thought.
Yep, I get it as I have licenses and clearances that would be difficult to let go but I guess the time comes eventually and the key is probably filling the void left with something else that feels engaging and interesting.
I had to let playing football in rural areas as we grew up and there is no such place to play anymore thanks to urbanization.
That must be difficult for you, I hope you're able to fill that gap with something else that makes you feel happy and engaged.
There is a sense of sadness for your friend. I am sure it is like losing part of himself. Hopefully he finds something to fill the gap.
I had to stop driving because of syncope episodes. It still bothers me that I have lost some of my independence. It does give me a chance to enjoy being a passenger for once. The only thing that sucks is when I just want to get out for a drive or go fish.
There is mate, he's sad and I am sad for him, there will be a huge gap when they're gone but I think he'll find something else...hopefully not golf! Lol.
I think losing my drivers license would be pretty hard for me considering how much I love driving; it's the same for most of the older folk I guess, losing their freedom and mobility...it must be difficult.
It sucks, but I've accepted it, adapted, and moving forward for the most part.
As any good Marine would. Things happen, good and bad, and we sometimes have to fit around them, overcome and adapt...it speaks highly of a persons character to be able to do that.
I am managing. It has been a mental mind screw but I have my sea legs again and figuring it out.
Semper Fi.
it was last year, i was in a devastating situation, and i needed money so badly i had to sale my june, one of the finess pencil tire bicycle, i loved so much, i literally had change everything about it, i so maintained this bike to suit my test and drive, then the unexpected happened last year September, i had to sale it..it so pained me, to let her go, still i had no choice as that was the only option i had...
I feel the same way for the old man to part ways with what he had probably held for years and decades, its like letting go a precious jewel that would have reminded him of all those fun amd active years, the memories all encapsulated in that piece of steel, thats why as his close buddy he really needed you to have it....i hope you cherish it as he does...
Thanks @galenkp for the chance
Change happens, it's inevitable, but that doesn't mean it's always easy to accept as you found out with your bike. I guess all we can do is try and cope with it the best we can, see the reality of the situation and maybe fill the void with something else.
Thats so true...Thanks very much
Haven't had but I might let go of my crafts one day. Got tired of seeing my hand made undone.
Good luck with the guns! Have fun with them
It's good you've not had to let that go so far and I hope when you do there's something else that brings you the same enjoyment to fill the void.
I've set hobbies and projects aside with the intent to return to them eventually.
My grandfather gave up driving after 90. He decided he was finally old then, and passed his ancient sedan down to me. I don't think surrendering that independence was easy.
Giving up driving must be such a difficult thing as it's such a part of people's lives and, of course, once it's gone so is a lot of a person's freedom to move around at will. I'm looking forward to it, years off of course, but still far too soon.
I had to think a lot and what I have stopped doing is writing poetry, but not because of a physical impediment but because I have written in crucial moments of my life, I had so many poems to make a book and I am very good at it. I think I went through a cycle of replacing poetry, which is an art for another kind of art. But I am also sure that I will return to writing.
Someone told me a few days ago to write the story of my life, which seems like many lives. ....
Writing will come back... I'm sure it will.
I wonder why you haven't started to write poetry again considering you say you're good at it; I guess it seems to be a waste of talent not to write.
I guess I wrote during a dark time in my life, and I did it as a vent and catharsis. It was as if that time had been the inspiration. And that darkness no longer exists.
Maybe I should find that inspiration in other things.
Have you ever thought about writing poetry about the good that exists in your life? Seems like something that could pay dividends.
I have a lot of good stuff now, it's a very good idea and besides, I have the sea nearby, which inspires me a lot. Change the point of view, make it as a song to life. Thank you.
Thankfully, I haven't gotten to that point yet I don't think, but I know there is a day when my body won't be able to keep up with some of the stuff that I enjoy doing. Hopefully that's a long way off yet! Based on what I have read, I can't think of a better person for those guns to go to.
It's coming for all of us, old age I mean, but the cool things is that it happens day by day so we have the chance to make the most of the present.
I have a lot of time for this fellow, someone In respect greatly, and I'll be sure to treat his guns (I'll always think of them as his) as well as he has.
That's a great way to think of it! Both the getting old and the guns!
This is the first time I heard someone treating their guns like their pets.
He said, "I want them to go to a good home,"Thanks for sharing 😊
Firearms last a long time and the operator/owner can become quite connected to them, or one particular one, the favourite, and so letting them go can feel quite odd. I sold one of my long range rifles a little while back and I still miss owning it even though I didn't shoot it that much (the reason I sold it). I regret selling it and which it was back home where it belongs.
I certainly don't think a firearm is anywhere close to being as precious as my pets are to me but most firearms owners will think of their firearms as much valued items.
My dad applied for a weapon (a bit scary too xD). Yes, he is in the navy, so he can get one from the government at a cheaper rate. I'll show you the weapon when it arrives. I'm somewhat excited about it, although I don't plan to ever fire it, even for practice. I do have some nice old photos with guns :)
That might make for a nice post if you feel like it.
I feel what he felt☹️. It was never been easy letting go of something that has been part of your life for a long time. And to make sure that it will be taken care always he find a good owner.
Yeah, I think you're right.
It is sad what is happening to your friend, but he will be able to deal with it once the issue is over, because he simply has a strong personality.
I worry about my eyesight, working so many hours on the computer and cell phone makes my vision immensely fatigued. I may have to give it all up, and it hurts, but we will have to find ways to fill that void.
Losing one's eyesight would be a terrible thing, maybe you could limit your screen time?
Such a sad time for your friend, and for you. It is understandable that he would like to leave them in hands known to him to be honorable and safe. For possessions so much a part of one's whole existence it must be doubly hard. Time comes for us all, if we are lucky enough to have that much time. I hope he finds another passion.
It's a little sad yes, and I'm hoping that he finds another activity or passion to fill his time. He'll be missed at the range although says he will drop in from time to time.
I'm a bit sad for your friend. Having to let go of something you love doing because of old age, something one can't control, can be very frustrating. But even if he lost his license and gun, I hope he can and will still continue to shoot in a range.
I think he'll continue to come to the range now and then but not for a while as it can bring up feelings of the loss. Of course, I told him he is welcome to shoot the firearms I have acquired from him at any point which made him feel good.
That's very nice of you and I think what he wanted/needed to hear at the time.
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