Flying High!

More than anything else the sensation is one of perfect peace
mingled with an excitement that strains every nerve to the utmost,
if you can conceive of such a combination.
~Wilbur Wright

I have always had a fascination for flying, I think it is almost impossible not to! The Law of Gravity being constantly defied distinctly attracts one´s attention and demands the question be voiced, "how?"

A good friend of mine,who studied aerodynamics, once told me that the first year of study is spent giving reasons why it is impossible to fly!

Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly,
but the bumblebee doesn't know that
so it goes on flying anyway. ~Mary Kay Ash

There´s a lesson there somewhere!!

My love of planes and flying came of course from my father who was an avid lover of flight, and probably began when he used to take us to see the model airplanes that flew on Lancress Common on Sunday mornings.

I fly because it releases my mind
from the tyranny of petty things.
~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

My Dad also build his very own model biplane with engine, that sadly did not defy the law of gravity as was hoped. I must of been about 6yrs at the time and I can´t remember exactly how long it took him to build it... but being the perfectionist that he was, I imagine a good year would have done it.

Yes, there are planes and planes. My Dad loved the vintage ones, especially biplanes and his most beloved was the red baron with triple wings.... One thing that singled my Dad out from the rest was that he was not satisfied with the simple or straight forward in life, everything had to "earn" his respect and trust! The Red Baron was clearly a true example of this!

I have to agree with Dad when it comes to choice in aircraft. One could liken the super jets, the airbus 380 of today to ... fast food: in and out... from A to B in the shortest amount of time possible, convenience above all. (Which of course is the only way to go if you´re flying to visit friends or family...no slow enjoyment there!!! ) Whereas the vintage aircraft would compare to an exquisit 3 course meal in the Ritz: meant to be enjoyed with time and leisure, where every detail counts and where every sensation is to be experienced to the full.

When once you have tasted flight,
you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward,
for there you have been,
and there you will always long to return.
~Author Unknown

The movie "Out of Africa" , has many beautiful and outstanding landscape scenes (as well as a tragic love story) as being the winner of several oscars confirms. One of the most awesome of these being Denys and Baroness Blixen´s flight in biplane over the African Savannah.

I am always moved by this scene and find the excitement almost tangible as they glide over the plains, close enough to reach out and touch the wildlife....breath taking. I hope one day to do this myself and reach my hand back and clasp the hand of my fellow passenger mid flight, wear those incredibly attractive goggles(???!!!) and have my hair blowing in the breeze. This is flying at it´s best!

Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society.
The optimist invents the airplane
and the pessimist the parachute.
~Gil Stern

Yes, flight captures that appealing element which each human being desires and longs for: the ability to fly above the worries and woes of this life and soar in the the sky of freedom. To be able to defy the gravity of "life."

I guess flight is the closest comparison we have to that spiritual dimension where we are able to soar on wings like eagles.... above the pain and the questions..where the wings of God´s presence and comfort lead us above these struggles and enable us to see the world from His perspective just as if we were flying in that biplane over the African Savannah holding His hand.......

I miss you DAD

The other day I was walking around Alcalá with our visitors and noticed this old fashioned reel to reel recorder in a shop window and I thought of you Dad. I wished you could have seen it. I remember you recording your Dad playing piano in our front room with this high tech machinery way back then and couldn´t help but cherish the moment in my mind. I miss you Dad.

I remember so many nights trying to fall asleep to you playing scales on the saxophone. You used to sit facing into the corner because you said the acoustics were better that way! I miss you Dad!

I regret never being able to experience you "live" on stage playing for many every night because it was what really bought you pleasure. I especially miss not seeing you play the double bass, which still to this day holds some magical mystery for me. We still have it in the attic Dad. I miss you Dad.

Listening to music was one of your greatest passions and the tunes are still very much alive in me. I cannot listen to them without seeing you in your favourite arm chair, record player open and turning, the box of records open ready for the next favourite tune to be played and your words were, "Listen to him play!" You savoured and treasured each note and taught me how to appreciate music. I will always be grateful to you for that Dad. I miss you Dad.

I can still see us sharing those hours by the organ where I sang every tune we knew, covering such a wide range of styles... Your favorites were Bossa Novas and I can still see that button in the drum section on the right hand side of the organ ..boy were we hip eh Dad?!! Old sheets of music connect me back to those days when you were here. I miss you Dad!

I find solace in the wonderous joy that we shall be together again and before the throne enjoy the music that rings throughout heaven..... "WE ARE TOGETHER AGAIN."

A new Dad?

When the two men were walking on the road to Emmaus, they weren´t expecting or even wanting to meet anyone important, let alone the Lord Jesus himself! Yet as God would have it, one of the sweetest moments in their lives took place when least they expected it.

This past month has bought with it tremendous joy....visits from both Stephan´s family and mine. From the east and from the west! It has been a very busy time (major understatment!!) but a very memorable one too. These special moments deserve a page all of their own...and maybe I can get to that...but I wanted to share another surprize that God had in store for me....In the midst of all these comings and goings God intervened just like he did to those on the road to Emmaus....... when least I expected it.

Lynwood and his wife June were staying just a couple of nights at my sister´s place, part of a team visiting from the U.S. working with Terry and Marilyn. There was an instant, supernatural, connection there but I didn´t realize that God had something more in mind. Lyn was about to come into my life to fill a lack I wasn´t really thinking could be filled....the role of Dad....a spiritual Dad.

As I shared with Lyn about my studies and involvement with the Red Cross, I would have never suspected the effect his affirmative words would have on me and the tears they would produce. When we lose our earthly fathers to death or to emotional distance, God in his love can reflect his Fatherheart through the willingness of Father´s in the faith - in the body of Christ. They can provide in a spiritual way, that reference and support a daughter needs.

When my Dad past away in October 2003, I knew that an important part of me had been left orphaned. What I didn´t realize was that I could be "adopted!" . I believed that God in His love understood my loss and that He would "complete" me. What I didn´t expect, was that He would do it through another earthly "father."

Thanks Lyn..

Ally