FORTY ONE YEARS
Before I was eighteen, I had soared above the clouds more times than I can remember but never on a commercial plane.
That first jet-propelled flight it felt silly, given my age and flight experience, to still myself while a member of the crew pinned to my gauzy white blouse this tiny little set of silver wings. How curious this overwhelming feeling of being terrified in context of sitting in the co-pilot’s seat more times than I could count as a little girl.
While classroom friends sent invitations to play pin the tail on the donkey, we would take the Cessna out for a spin. I simultaneously giggled and gasped at the pilot [my daddy] telling us he was spelling “Happy Birthday” as we climbed and dove in the sky.
I don’t remember in these moments ever being afraid, but through the years my fear of flying grew beyond what I could logically describe. That fear kept Ron and I from enjoying exotic anniversary trips for many years.
Which brings me to why I chose this image to share—just two months before my cancer diagnosis Ron surprised me with a journey in a WWII biplane. He knew if he had told me in advance, I would have refused to go. As you can tell, this was one of the most exhilarating things I have ever done, particularly because of my love/hate relationship with flight.
This past week we celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary by building a wilderness “glamping tent” in the forest by our home [photos coming next week].
Not all our anniversaries have been glamorous or romantic, but every single one of them have led me to who I am today.
Which brings me to what I really want to say—
In the past two years I have experienced much to be fearful of and yet I am less afraid.
Much of the reason is sharing what I’ve been through with an unwavering life mate.
I chose well.
When thinking about what I wanted to write, two posts came immediately to mind—"What are you afraid of," and "Forty years."
These, above all the rest, encapsulate my journey as a woman and my life as a woman who loves a man.
May we [all of us] continue to face what scares us—even love—head on. Unafraid.
ENJOY THE REST OF THE STORY AT THE LINKS AND VIDEO BELOW:
https://www.sanctuaryliving.life/what-are-you-afraid-of/
https://www.sanctuaryliving.life/forty-years/