The Q life Grief Journey

For as long as I can remember, Quinten loved being near the water with a fishing pole in hand. But what made fishing truly special for him wasn’t just the quiet of the lake or the thrill of catching something; it was who he got to share it with: James.

James was more than a stepfather to Quinten. He was a friend, a guide, and the earthly father Quinten had longed for since losing his own dad at the age of six. After marrying James, something in Quinten’s heart was restored. That missing piece, that father-son connection, was finally found.

As the years went on, and especially during Quinten’s illness, James became his anchor. They were inseparable through the hard parts, chemo treatments, labs, and countless doctors’ visits, but James gave Quinten something even more important than care. He gave him companionship, laughter, and the steady love only a father can give.

And for Quinten, their fishing trips together were pure joy. Sitting side by side at the lake, lines in the water, he could forget about cancer for a little while. Out there, it wasn’t about illness or struggle. It was about being two buddies at the water’s edge, swapping stories, sharing laughter, and soaking in the peace of the great outdoors.

Fishing gave Quinten more than a hobby. It gave him moments of freedom, connection, and joy, moments he deeply valued, because they were shared with James.

Looking back, I know Quinten treasured those times most of all. Fishing with James wasn’t just his favorite activity; it was a reminder of the love and fatherhood he had always longed for, and the bond that carried him through the hardest of days.