As for the "Angry and hurt" part of this, your father probably didn't even think about how much the rifle would mean to you.
I kind of have the same kind of thing going on right now. My father is still living thankfully. He gave my cousin a M1 carbine rifle that has been in our family since the end of WW II (Some sort of a bring home from the war thing). I grew up shooting that rifle and humping it all over the hills of Arkansas once I turned 14. The thing is priceless to me and a cousin I barely know has it.
My dad knows that sentimental things mean a lot to me (I think he does) Dad sent me a simple craftsman three blade stock knife while I was in the service back in 1983. For what ever reason he stenciled my name, a bible verse (He is a pastor) and "from dad Jan 1983" on the blades. I have carried this knife on me every single day since then. I even had to mail it to myself after a run in with a retarded TSA worker after she saw it in my checked in baggage. I would not take 20,000.00 for the thing. To me it is priceless. I have made it know to my wife and kids that it remains with me forever even after my death. Weird? Maybe.
My point is I think often times family members just fail to recognize what something might mean to another family member.
I kind of have the same kind of thing going on right now. My father is still living thankfully. He gave my cousin a M1 carbine rifle that has been in our family since the end of WW II (Some sort of a bring home from the war thing). I grew up shooting that rifle and humping it all over the hills of Arkansas once I turned 14. The thing is priceless to me and a cousin I barely know has it.
My dad knows that sentimental things mean a lot to me (I think he does) Dad sent me a simple craftsman three blade stock knife while I was in the service back in 1983. For what ever reason he stenciled my name, a bible verse (He is a pastor) and "from dad Jan 1983" on the blades. I have carried this knife on me every single day since then. I even had to mail it to myself after a run in with a retarded TSA worker after she saw it in my checked in baggage. I would not take 20,000.00 for the thing. To me it is priceless. I have made it know to my wife and kids that it remains with me forever even after my death. Weird? Maybe.
My point is I think often times family members just fail to recognize what something might mean to another family member.
You know anybody who does good leather work?
