My Son Experienced What Many Michiganders Feel is a Rite of Passage

There are many things Michiganders feel are a rite of passage living in the Mitten state and my son experienced one of those over the weekend.

Get our free mobile app

Rites of Passage in Michigan

There are many rites of passage for Michiganders. Depending on where you live and what your family is into may decide more on what your family considers a rite of passage.

Maybe it's driving through your first pothole or snowstorm, using your hand to describe a location in Michigan, picking out your favorite flavor of Faygo, or craving a pasty once you cross the Mackinac Bridge into the Upper Peninsula, one way or another there are some common things to happen to most all Michiganders at some point.

Outdoors Rite of Passage

Hunting and fishing are two past times that have been passed down generation after generation in many Michigan families' homes. Whether it's getting that first buck or catching that first trout it is a special time when a father, grandfather, mother, or grandmother passes down one of these things to a young child.

My Son Experiences a Rite of Passage

I remember going squirrel and rabbit hunting with my dad as a young child. I would go anywhere just to spend time with dad. He taught me a lot over the years about hunting and fishing and those are things I have been passing down to my son.

When my dad and I used to squirrel hunt together, my dad would always leave a little early so when we got back near the truck we would do a little target practicing.

I remember the time when dad said, "Do you want to try?" It was one of the most exciting moments of my life to actually hold a gun and then get to shoot it at a can after an evening of squirrel hunting with dad.

Dad walked me through each step, from loading the gun, properly handling the gun, using the safety, how to use the scope, and when to fire the trigger.

This past weekend I was able to pass that same tradition to my son. It started back around Christmas when my dad gave my son his old Winchester .22 rifle. I remember back in the day when my dad was shopping for the right .22 rifle so he and I could go squirrel hunting. To me, at that time there was no bigger deal.

It was very touching knowing my dad passed on something he and I shared together to my son so he and I could share a similar moment so many years later.

The anticipation and excitement my son had as we were heading to the location to shoot the gun was really special. I remembered those same feelings when I was a kid knowing when I was going to shoot for the first time.

It was a special moment showing my son how to safely handle the .22 rifle. How to load the gun, how to hold the gun, how to use the scope, and how to take a safe shot. I followed a list of things that I learned from dad.

All my son could talk about was how cool it was to shoot his gun for the very first time and he already cannot wait to back again. He wanted to call his grandpa after we got done so he could share the moment with him.

It was a special day for three generations and only the beginning of many more traditions to come.

The smile says it all.