open my eyes
into everything
I had a physical yesterday for the first time in ages. I wasn’t particularly looking forward to it, not because I was concerned, but it is a bit of an inconvenience and an indignity–all for a good cause, mind you. But I made the best of it.
I checked out well. The doctor said I was going to be his most boring patient of the day, always a good thing to hear. He said to reassure my wife, who had made the appointment for me (we’re going to start scheduling them near birthdays–good way to remember) that I would be around for a long time. “Lord willing,” I added hastily, and he agreed.
The highlight of the visit for me was when I found out the doctor is a pilot. We were making small talk and he asked how I came to the area, and I gave him the Reader’s Digest version of coming for pilot school and meeting Diane and so on. So we found a common interest. He’s part owner of a Cessna 182 and flies out of Smith Reynolds. He said he would like to fly twice a week but usually only gets in the air about once, which sounds about right, given weather and schedules and the like. He and the plane’s other owner are working on their instrument ratings, and he talked casually about the expenses of maintenance and some of the newer avionics upgrades he’s done.
I have to say it took me back. My one “year of flight” all came tumbling back at we talked, and when he mentioned offhandedly that if I ever wanted to take Luke up he’d give us a ride I nearly scheduled something right then and there. There’s absolutely nothing like it. It gets into your system like few things can, experiencing that degree of freedom and speed and all the rest. What prompted his offer was a comment by me that I would love nothing more than to be able to just fly with Luke for an hour every Saturday morning. Just to be able to say to him, after donuts with Daddy, “Let’s go flying,” and then putter around the area for a little bit, do some sightseeing, practice a couple of landings and then go home for lunch… How much greater could a Saturday morning be?
I miss it. I don’t regret in the slightest any decisions I made with regard to Luke and Diane (how could I?) since I know absolutely that the Lord had me–and always has me–exactly where I need be for His glory first, and my good next. I think what makes me the most happy when I think about that period of my life is that I did get to fly that one time with Diane. That really is enough, to know that she experienced it with me, if only for a few minutes. She knows, and that means the world.
Looking back on my soccer experience I have similar feelings. Although I can’t say that I miss it like you do flying, it still represented a significant portion of my life and I’m so glad and thankful Rachel had the chance to come watch several games.
Well, let me clarify…I don’t miss playing at NC State, but I do have fond memories of playing in high school. When people get to talking about soccer, I perk up like I imagine you do when people talk about flying. But yes, having shared that experience with the one you love is very fulfilling.
-D
I can imagine you feel the same way about soccer. I remember the intensity of some of those high school matches–and I didn’t experience the half of what you did on the field. I’m glad Rachel got to see you play too, if “only” in college.
Ever thought about joining a club team in the area (if there is one)?