I wasn't sure how I would be looked upon by the group the next year, there was never any mention of it made as if it never happened. As I put Clarksville in my rearview mirror that Sunday heading back home, I thanked God and had never dreamed I would ever be a part of such great men. I'm sure he will pass your message along to Miss Tywla.

Murphy

I don't believe anyone thought any less of you for the accident Murph. I have made my own mistakes. More than I like to talk about. I know Hoot didn't.

And yours ain't the only kaboom that has happened in a group of people who have been handloading for a long time. I've seen sixgun parts scattered down the firing line more than once.

But you are correct about Hoot. One of the great guys. When I found out he was headed Home I asked him to do me a favor. He said he would if he could. I asked him that when he sees Twyla to tell her I miss her terribly and that I will be along soon. He said he would and I am sure he did.

It happened around 2006 in Clarksville. To make a long story short, we were on the firing line and I had a ka-boom, it took a bit to figure out what happened, but I was totally at fault. Hoot was standing to my right and part of the cylinder wound up in his right forearm. He had to be rushed to the hospital, and then down to the next town to a larger facility for surgery the next day. He and Beth had to extend their stay a week before being cleared to travel. A number of us were waiting at the E.R. waiting for any updates from Beth. When they brought him out to transfer him, as I walked over to the wheel chair he stopped them. I was looking for words when Hoot reached out with his left arm for me, wrapped it around my neck and said "Murphy, I love you". I replied in kind and they headed off with him. A number of us made the trip also (one stayed the entire night). I kept up with Hoot over the next several months seeing how he was coming along and all had gone well. Nothing but kindness, compassion, and understanding from both he and Miss Beth.

This was the Michael "Hoot" Gibson I knew and came to love like a brother.

Murphy

reminds me that we never know when our turn is coming. not sure how i have lasted this long.

See you on down the road, my friend.

Here's a recent image I captured through the lens he passed on to me, shooting with an Olympus OM-D E-M1 mirrorless camera using his old Olympus mount lens. I shared it on the book of faces and hope he saw it a few weeks ago. He will be missed.

But much as I hate it, it's better than staying. I remember the last week of my father's life as the cancer finally took him... I know that "he's in a better place" is a cliché, but for Hoot (and for my dad) I really believe it.

Now I'm going to have to create a project rifle in .250 Savage.

-AaronB

Hoot was one of my very favorite people in this whole world. I. Could say so many nice things about him but we all know, because he was kind and giving to us all.

He will be missed.

Dave