There's Something About the Sunshine...

One of the things that I simply cherish during this difficult time in our lives is the ability to "drop by" and see Mom and Dad at random times throughout the day. Whenever the kids are going stir crazy or we've just pulled a batch of cookies out of the oven and want to share them with Mom and Dad or when we simply want to check in and see how Dad's doing we can just jump on our bikes or throw the kids in the mini van and go over for a visit just two miles down the road. Over the last couple of days we've been able to spend a lot of time with Mom and Dad sitting on the porch or going for walks in the sunshine and it has been so wonderful!

There is something about the sunshine that brings not only light and warmth, but health and energy as well. On Thursday Dad was feeling pretty good and we decided to take him for a walk down to the "airport". There is a great little Radio Controlled Airplane flying field and mini airport right by Mom and Dad's house that has always been a favorite spot of Dad's to walk to. Dad grew up building model airplanes and has always had a love of flying (real airplanes too!). We brought Dad's walker, that doubled as a wheelchair, and walked/wheeled him the 500 yards or so from the parking lot to the airport. When we got to the airport there were two older gentlemen flying their planes. They had about 7 or 8 planes between the two of them and they were so excited to talk to us about their planes and show us all about how they worked and the cool tricks they could do in the air. We brought a folding chair for Dad to sit in and put him right next to "pit area" so he could watch the guys tinker with their planes and get them ready for take off! It was a mini version of the Reno Air Show that Dad loves so much. One of the gentlemen was a R/C Airplane Trainer and was so gracious in letting the kids try out the remote control and talking to Dad about all of the intricate details of flying these little planes. We watched them fly for about 30 minutes or so and then Dad got tired and weak and we had to take him home.

I'm sure it was just an ordinary Thursday for the men flying their airplanes and I'm sure they didn't think twice about inviting us to join them as the flew their planes, but it was no ordinary day for us. I kept thinking about how grateful I was that Dad was strong enough and well enough to walk to the airport and have this amazing moment of joy as he watched these little planes fly loop de loops in the air. My heart was so full as I watched Dad's eyes light up with excitement as he asked questions and was so interested in these planes. One of the planes was a P52 and Dad said that it was his favorite ...something about being responsible for turning the tide in our favor during WWII. Dad simply loves airplanes and it made me so happy to be with him and watch this little air show with him. It was one of those moments of indescribable happiness as he watched the planes fly in the air and I couldn't help but feel so grateful that I could share in that moment with him.