A sad return to my collection

[pasound]

Four years ago I gifted my 10-22 Takedown, which had a custom wood stock, to a good friend on his birthday. He was a musician, farmer, electrical circuit genius, and a Vietnam Vet. I owed him some money for his rebuild of an old amplifier, and because we usually worked for trades (eases tax problems - I kept his computers running), I figured he'd love the trade/gift. He used it to keep the rabbits out of his garden.

For the record, Vietnam and Agent Orange cancer killed him. He died peacefully last Friday, after fighting the evasive lymphoma which spread all over his body before the end. Doctors said he lived two+ years longer than they expected. His executor called me today and said I was getting the 10-22 back. I pick it up Sunday, after some of the group of friends/family get together for a celebration of his life at his favorite Mexican restaurant.

 

[Deadeye Dick]

Sorry for the loss of your friend. Hold on to that 10-22 and remember him fondly whenever you shoot it.

 

[woodsltc]

Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. Too many sad stories from that war. Prayers for your friends family and loved ones. God Bless. Don

 

[JohnRippert]

Always sad to get one returned like that. It is how I got the 3inch M65 that I gave Dad back after he passed.

 

[Rotorhead1026]

Sorry for the loss of your friend. Hold on to that 10-22 and remember him fondly whenever you shoot it.

And shoot it frequently.

 

[ameridaddy]

Can't put a like on your OP, but I'm glad you had such a good friend that he remembered you in his passing.
I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[mckenney99]

I also can't give a like for your post.
I'm sorry for the loss of your friend.
May He Rest In Peace. You know he's gone to heaven, because he's already done his time in hell.

Many years ago I also lost a friend due to the ravages of his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, I still miss him and then I think about something funny we both enjoyed together.

 

[Rudi]

Man, that is sad. But glad it's coming home. Cherish it and plan where it will go after you are done with it.

 

[Beemerguy53]

pasound, please accept my condolences on your friend's passing. May he rest in peace, and may his memory always be a blessing to you...

 

[A10]

I don't know about you, but I am at the age where the people in my life are going Home. It's sad, but it's a fact of life. You never get over the loss, though.

You have two things: a lifetime of memories and a firearm to cherish (again). A suggestion? Write down your fond memories, and keep them with the rifle. Someday the person who inherits it from you might appreciate that....

 

[rwsmith]

Sorry for the loss.............

Sorry for the loss of a good friend. At least the rifle might remind you of good times spent together. He sounds like my kind of guy.

 

[lihpster]

My condolences on the loss of your friend. I have the 10-5 I gave to my brother. I got it back in the same way. I also have a 1953 M&P in better shape that I got for a relative steal at Cabela's of all places. With the addition of some period correct magnas I had on hand, it makes a very nice package. Ask me which one I would ever let go of. I cherish that 10-5 and even the sight of it brings back good memories.

 

[old bear]

May your friend rest in peace.

 

[NYlakesider]

My condolences.

I went thought something like that. My best friend since kindergarten died. We were like brothers, worked together on some jobs, hunted, were best man at each other wedding ETC.

When he died his wife gave me his Ruger .44M carbine. (made mid 70s) She said she knew it would mean more to me than anyone else

Yes it did.

 

[CH4]

I bet you will smile every time you pick her up.

 

[16thVACav]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[GypsmJim]

My Dad had a small but very valuable collection. Sometimes I used to borrow one or 2 and take them shooting. His Parker, 1911 (not A1) and Model 57 were my favorites.

I hated to get them for good, but I know he is looking down. They will eventually go to his grandson.

 

[WardenRoss]

Gosh, don't have the words.

Here's to good memories of the time you had with your friend.

,

 

[Krogen]

I'm sorry about your friend. People are still dying from the war. They gave so much for us.

Gifts coming back to us are bittersweet. Sadness for a departed friend, but appreciation for something they owned and used. I gave Dad a Model 70 one Christmas. He used it on the hunts we shared. It came back to me as Dad was leaving us. That rifle returned loaded with memories.

I venture your 10/22 will mean more to you now than it ever did. In it, you have a connection to your friend.

 

[oink]

I'm sorry for your loss.