Dad's First Flight in the Sonex!
High of 60 degrees and calm winds were forecasted for today. This is very amazing weather for January in NW Arkansas. I had been planning to go flying this morning and while I was getting ready to go the thought hit me of asking to see if Dad was feeling up to going with me. I had always hoped that I would get to take Dad for a ride in this plane that he helped me build. I arrived at Mom and Dad’s house about 10:30am and rang the doorbell to see if anyone was home. I could hear the footsteps coming to the door. Mom seemed surprised as she open the door and saw me standing there. We spoke for a bit and then I asked if Dad was in the back room. “No, Mom said. I sent him to the library and to Wal-Mart to get a few things.” Well that’s great! I thought, as I wanted to leave in the next 30 minutes or so. Mom said, “Hey while you’re here could you look at my computer? It hasn’t been working well and I can’t send e-mails.” While working on the Computer, Dad called informing Mom that he just arrived at Wal-Mart and wondered if she needed anything else. I quickly requested that Mom ask Dad if he would like to go for a plane ride today. When my Mom asked him I could hear my Dad say, “What?” “A PLANE RIDE”, Mom said with a louder voice. “Well ya! I’ll be right home.” Dad said. I could hear the excitement in his voice. Within a few minutes Dad came home with smile on his face and the look in his eye like he had been waiting for this day. Within a few minutes Dad was ready to go and he was hugging and Kissing Mom good-bye. I witnessed a moment of true love as they share those moments together and I felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility that came over me in those seconds, to make sure I returned Dad safely home to Mom. Dad climbed into the Jeep and we were off to the airport with nothing but blue skies in minds. After arriving at the airport and opening the hangar doors Dad notice the welcoming site of the two lawn chairs calling his name. Dad made his way to the lawn chairs and sat down and mumbled this is uptown! Dads sat and watch quietly as I continued to pre-flight the airplane. I can only imagine what he was thinking about while he waited. It wasn’t long before I rolled the Sonex out of the hangar into the full sun of a beautiful day. I gave Dad a hand while he maneuvered his way into the cockpit. It was a little challenging for Dad, but he was not complaining a bit. It wasn’t long before we were both buckled in and on our way to our destination Neosho, MO. What a thrill it was for me to share this day with my Dad! Dad always asked me while I was building this plane, “If you knew it would be this much work, would you have ever started this project?” I can truly say, yes! It is so hard to put into words how special it was to share these moments with my Dad today. I have been so fortunate to have been blessed with such wonderful parents!