Page 13 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2026 - Online Magazine
P. 13
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Senior
Senior
Fishing & the
Value of Time
Philip Wilkins "Papa"
by Wyatt Wilkins
Papa is the kind of person who, no quiet. Fishing trips became “our
matter how I’m feeling, can always thing.” They were never rushed.
crack a joke that makes me laugh. There was no pressure to catch
But even when we’re not dying of the biggest fish or to fill a bucket
laughter, his life-lessons, persistent (although, when those moments
work, and reserved nature has did happen, you can bet we were
inspired me more than he knows. excited.) Instead, the focus was
always on being present and
My grandfather is someone I have enjoying the time together. Over
always admired. He is always the years, those trips created a bond
dependable—the type of person between us that goes far beyond the
who shows up when he says he will fishing itself.
and stays as long as he is needed.
His experiences in the military Fishing taught me patience in a
and as a plumber for 40+ years way nothing else ever has. My
have shaped him and given him grandfather never got too worked
worthwhile values. He believes in up if the fish weren’t biting. He
working hard, treating people with would simply throw out another
respect, and appreciating the simple cast and keep waiting. Through
moments in life. He doesn’t require him, I learned that not everything
praise or attention; instead, he leads in life happens immediately, and
by example, which has made his that sometimes the best results
ome of the most important influence on me even stronger. come from persistence and calm
lessons in my life were not determination. When I struggled
Slearned in a classroom, on the One of the ways he and I have with this, finding the will to keep
tennis court, or from a history book. become close is through fishing. working towards something as I got
They were learned while trying Some of my earliest memories with older—whether in school, sports, or
not to laugh with my grandfather, him involve waking up before the personal goals—he would remind
Philip Wilkins, “Papa,” on a boat sun rose at 5:30 AM, loading fishing me that “some days the fish bite,
on Possum Kingdom Lake before gear onto the boat, and heading to and some days they don’t,” but
sunrise, fishing pole in hand. the lake while the world was still showing up still matters.
Lubbock Senior Link 13
