I have moved on the whole point here was to show that you might think you blew a once in a lifetime chance and then when you move on you get the hunt of a lifetime unexpectedly.You're lucky if your Dad is still around to care about about what you shoot.
You're lucky if your wife pretends to care.
No one else cares. No one.
Be happy, or don't. But sometimes it best to move along with life.
I’d moved on pretty much the minute my dad and I were able to have a real conversation about it. Not being able to talk about it with him honestly was the hard part. He was more upset and disappointed I shot that elk than me. I get the old thread is frozen in time and people might think I’m wrestling those feelings forever and always.
Regardless I wanted an animal from that hunt of a certain quality for myself and my own reasons. Not for others to care or not care about.