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Many years ago, when I lived in the Coachella Valley, I owned a nice boat and would go fishing at the Salton Sea. A couple of my fishing buddies came over to my house one day and asked a favor of me. They said they knew a 10-year-old boy who was a cancer patient and that he had requested that someone take him and his father fishing. I immediately called Johnny and his father and told them that I would take them fishing in a couple of days. Two days later I picked up Johnny and his dad and we started our adventure. It was warm and calm that day. It was a perfect day for fishing. Johnny had never been in a boat before so the boat ride out to the fishing grounds was a real delight for him. It was an epic day of fishing. We hooked and landed 27 Corvina. Johnny caught the biggest fish. It weighed over 12 pounds! Because of his illness it was hard for him to bring in a fish that big. I was very proud of him when he finally landed his fish. I told Johnny and his dad we had to go because we had our limit. They thanked me and Johnny said something to me that I will remember for the rest of my life. He looked me in the eyes and said, "Mr. Carrasco, the next time I go fishing, I promise you that I will be in heaven." I handed him the rod and reel that he had used to catch his big fish and told him that he was going to need these to catch the big ones in heaven. Two weeks later I went to Johnny's funeral. His dad had buried him with his rod and reel. As I walked to my truck from the grave site I noticed that it was a warm and calm day. It was a perfect day to go fishing. I looked up into the clear blue sky and smiled. I knew that Johnny was keeping his promise to me and was now fishing in heaven. Tight lines to all my friends and remember to take a kid fishing. ~ Richard Carrasco 54 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | FEBRUARY 2017 Fishing Club