ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
The whitetail deer in this painting stands unsuspecting of things to come. The mating season will soon begin. You can tell because these magnificent forest dwellers are moving around much more. The poem I’ve added was written in 2017 when my husband was still an active hunter. He preferred the bow and arrow because of the challenge it presented. It wasn’t one of those fancy high-powered bows but a simple traditional object which he learned to shoot as a young boy. I really think the hunting was more of an escape into Gods creation. He would often speak of sitting or standing so still that the birds would land on his shoulder. Not sure if that’s true or not, but it makes for a good story. Eventually he would hear the crunch of hooves making their way through the acorns and he knew he would soon witness one of them. The last few years of his life, he realized that he wouldn’t be able to partake of that dream any longer. He did, however, create a great legacy of beautiful art displaying his love for this special time of year.
It’s the time of the year when folks go and hunt deer,
When they bond and have fun from the dawn of the sun.
As I sit here at home, by myself all alone,
I bask in the peace as my thoughts now increase,
Looking inward and seeing the core of my being,
Alone in my thoughts as time now allots,
There’s solace in small things – the joy that a voice brings,
The siren that wails or the screeching of wheels,
Amplified sounds grab my inner attention,
And the peace now gives way to creative invention,
In days long gone by, when youth still had a hold,
I could fill all those moments, but now I’ve grown old,
I sit quietly thinking of the things I could do,
But I never seem ready to quite follow through,
Instead I will wait with my thoughts full of him,
Thoughts tempered with silence without and within.
atimetoshare.me 
I enjoyed this poem. Especially the line: And the peace now gives way to creative invention,👍
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Thank you Ken.
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You hit on something that I’ve found to be a truism. The older I get, the more I find myself blissfully lost in thought. I supposed all those years of living provide the greatest collection of things to playback on the movie screen of the mind.
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I have a treasure trove of those playbacks.
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Mama K, I’ve missed you and and your beautiful writing and words. Paul’s deer, and his hunting experience, touched my heart. Just as your words. It amazes me how you could express your feelings in such an exquisite way.
I don’t know if YOU really know how special you are. I know many women your age; including my own Mom. You have a way of expressing the silence of widowhood with the blessed promise of reuniting one day because of the faith that runs through you. You are such an inspiration to me. I hope you truly know!
I coached archery when I was a Middle School Principal, Mama K. I would hunt with the boys and their Dad. Bows too. I no longer hunt—but forever will find peace and solace in the woods. Being there among God’s creation and all the sights and sounds you described is exactly why I have such a love for it.
I love you, dearly. I’m sorry I’m not here often—but I pray for you daily!
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Good to hear from you again. Hope all is well. I think of you each day and pray that God continues to strengthen your faith as your go through your daily journey. You are so sweet to offer such lovely comments to my posts. I don’t always understand where the words come from, but I do know that
God is directing them. He has given me so much throughout these many years, but especially I’m grateful of his promise of salvation. You know that too and what happens here is only temporary.
Paul taught archery when he was going to the art institute of Chicago many moons ago. He was very good at it and even shot a bear with one. I do believe that his heart was more focused on the environment rather than the game, but it was a passion of his. He and our son really bonded through the experience. I remember my son getting up at 3 in the morning to tramp through the woods with his dad. He was only three or four years old. He’s still an avid hunter.
I love you, dear heart. Hope that your treatments are going well. I’m sure your energy level is at an all time low. Just know that you are loved by many – especially our heavenly Father. I love you.
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Thank you, Mama K! We lowered my treatments again due to the severe side effects. Just this afternoon, I was referred to a NEW expert in my rare cancer. He is establishing his practice in Kansas City and trained under two leading experts at Mayo. I’m so thrilled to add him to my team! I’ll be going to see him when I visit my youngest son and family who live in Liberty by K.C.!
I can’t imagine shooting a bear! Wow! How wonderful that your son is still carrying on that tradition.
We are all blessed by YOU and your words. Our Heavenly Father is so amazing. I love you and pray you take care too!
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I’m glad they lowered your treatment dose. There’s no reason for you to have to endure undeserved symptoms. I pray your new specialist finds a good course of action. You are a rock star, Karla. God has this💕💕
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♥️❤️💚🙏🙏🥰🤗🤗🤗
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