Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Flying



My father-in-law took us flying today. There are few things that make him happier than flying. It was a cold day and it took several tries to get the Cessna started which I must admit concerned me a little and made me want to say "we can sure do this another day." After she got fired up we headed out to the end of the runway. Sharon and I in the back. Lanny and Brooks, pilot and copilot. Off we went into the wild blue yonder. More white and gray on this winter day.

There we were hanging above the earth. Wings gliding on the wind. We flew over my sister's house then over the family farm and on to a neighboring town. When I get to look down from above it puts things in perspective. Houses, cars, farms, all become so small. Looking down you see the plots of land and spots of water, some bigger than others. Today the terraces caught my attention. The way they move across the land like someone's fingers playing in the sand or paint. God sized finger painting. Maybe so. I like the thought of it.

We landed in Eldon where I was promoted to copilot. Out with the old in with the new.

The thing about flying with Lanny is that he makes the copilot be the pilot. I'm glad he's got this kind of confidence in me and all but its a little nerve racking at first. But once you start feeling it and you're doing it, you're really flying, then you're so glad he made you. I see where Brooks gets the quality of believing in people so much that they end up believing in themselves.

I like to experience people at their best, in their element. To see their light shine so brightly. You can tell when a person is really passionate about something. They talk with a pleasant lilt, usually faster, with meaning, urgency and confidence.

Flying that plane helped me understand what Lanny finds in flying.
Thank you for sharing it with me.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Tree in a Tin Bucket


Its December. 5 weeks from lift off. A lot of things are odd. Not bad just odd. For instance I've never had a tiny tree in a metal pitcher for Christmas but it makes me happy. I like this simple life we have going. Living in one big room. Its less pressure with more clutter.

One of my strengths is being adaptable. I sense peoples feelings and needs and can adapt quickly to make them feel better. I can also be happy with anything, adapting to what's at hand, making the best of a situation. I'm often described as sensitive and I wonder if this is a compliment or a curse. I'm going to choose to believe the best.

Anyway, we're making the best of each day we have left here with family and friends. Booking lunches and mall walks, dinner dates and game nights, birthday celebrations and merriment. I feel guilty at times. Guilty that we're leaving and won't be around to help with things. Things like estate sales and babysitting, remodeling projects and cutting down trees for firewood, moving people and making birthday dinners, baking cookies and shopping on spontaneous occasions.

I guess I just need to accept that we're going to miss out on lots of things I hold so dear. Sometimes when I'm with people it feels like someone is dying and we're mourning this great loss. I suppose we are. Like saying goodbye to the Colorado cabin each summer after wonderful memories have been made and caught on camera. "Until next year." I guess that's how I want things to be. Memories treasured in our hearts forever, all year long, until next time. Moving forward into the year ahead, taking things as they come. Making the best of each moment. Adapting to what's at hand and hopeful for the "next time" when we meet again.

There are bonds here that neither depth, nor height, nor mountains or seas could ever break. Ever. Love bridges great divides.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Cor 13:7-8

Thanks be to God for the gift of the moment, for what's at hand and for the next times.