Being Thankful

Sponsored by: HECS STEALTHSCREEN, Grim Reaper Broadheads, Carbon Express Arrows, ThermaCELL

I love the Christmas time of year. It makes me reflect back and think of all the blessings I’ve been granted and the people that have been a part of my life. I think about the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior and what a huge influence he has played in my life. I think about his birth, his life and him dying on the cross so all our sins could be forgiven. Without his love and influence I would not be where I am today.

I am thankful for my awesome wife of 29 years who has stood by me no matter what the situation was. And believe me there were some times she could have bailed on me in those early years but she always stood by me. My wife is as good as any man could ask for. She also gave me two fantastic kids who are God fearing individuals and have been hard working and productive citizens and treat people the way they want to be treated.

I am thankful for having two great parents who raised me to respect mankind and never think I was deserving of something without hard work and dedication. I was raised in very humble surroundings. My mother raised me in church which gave me a strong foundation to live my life. Mom, who is still living, has been through multiple major surgeries’ that would have done most people in. My mom’s mental toughness and faith has taught me to be able to handle whatever is thrown at me. My loving father raised me to hunt, fish and play baseball. I can remember being 5 years old and following dad in the timbers of Illinois while he was squirrel hunting. I would carry a toy gun following in his every footstep. There was never a time that dad did not include me in his hunting and fishing endeavors. My parents helped mold the man who I am today. Mom and Dad are my heroes.

I am thankful for YOU, the bowhunting.net readers. I enjoy the articles you write and the knowledge that you share with all of us. I have learned a lot from all the writers over the years. I have also had the privilege and honor to meet some of you face to face. I enjoy your personal comments on articles written and that are posted on the bowhunting.net site. I enjoy the differences of opinions on various subjects. Differences of opinions are a healthy and good thing. This is how we grow as a group and individually get to that next step.

I am thankful to Rich Walton and Robert Hoague. You two have been my dear friends for many years and I thankful for your friendships. I feel these two individuals have done as much for the sport of bowhunting as any living being on the planet. God bless both you guys.

I am thankful for the sponsors over the years who have promoted me in my hunting endeavors by letting me represent you products. I want to thanks HECS for an amazing product. Thanks to GRIM REAPER for making the best broadheads on the planet. Thanks to Lennie and all the folks at CARBON EXPRESS, your arrows are quality through and through, they have never failed me in 15 years. Thanks to BADLANDS for making some of the best quality packs and camouflage in the world. Thanks to THERMACELL for the amazing products you make to enhance the hunting experience.

I hope that everyone reading this will take a few moments to reflect on what you are thankful and grateful for at this time of year. I am wishing everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a healthy new year.

For more please go to: Rick Philippi