Wind

Wind is a kind of miracle.  It was the reason that Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully flew.  Near the landmark of their first attempts at controlled human flight, Richard and Elliot went to hang gliding school to celebrate Father's day.

Hang gliding school at Jockey's Ridge is kind of like kindergarten for glider pilots.  Here, you learn safety, take off and landing.  You are rarely set off in any direction without an instructor.  There's not much time in the air to learn to navigate turns or feel what it's like to steer into the wind.  But it's flight, even for a few moments, and I can say from experience that any moment of personal flight feels incredibly wonderful.  Someday, we hope to navigate bigger gliders, over more space.

Two brothers from Dayton Ohio who helped us all experience the miracle of human flight inspire me.  The quote at the base of their memorial tower reads: "In commemoration of the conquest of the air by the brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright conceived by genius achieved by dauntless resolution and unconquerable faith."

North Carolina license plates are stamped with the phrase "First in Flight."  While the actual flights took place in the windy Outer Banks, the men who brought their gliders were from Ohio.  Both states have museums to commemorate their genius.  My brother lives in Dayton and will celebrate his upcoming marriage on the grounds of the Wright Brothers Memorial this July.  We are thrilled to share in this wonderful event and look forward to soon being reunited with our family on this happy occasion.  With a graduation, a wedding, two vacations and Elliot's birthday, I'm full of energy and gratitude for the many fantastic things that continue to unfold.  Every week there are new friendships, new opportunities, appreciation for good health, delicious food and abundant life all around.  This weekend, a new family is moving in next door, in the house of our late friend Tom.  The young couple have a two year old daughter.  The young man is beginning his residency at the local hospital.  So far this couple immediately engaged us in friendship; we like that they are sociable, bright, articulate and active. 

With all the exciting activity, I'm also embracing the ordinary parts of life.  Strangely, I'm looking forward to cleaning the bathrooms, running the vacuum, and washing the dishes left over from last night's cook out.  Elliot is working on building a mini golf course in the back yard using boxes and found items.  Ozzie is resting and enjoying this quiet peace of a Sunday morning.  Before I break the silence with my scrubbing, I hope to join him for a little while, with a cup of hot coffee and my latest summer read: My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George.  The best part of homeschooling is that I get to read all the good books I missed when I was young.

Happy Sunday!