Thanks, SJ. I hope everyone out there in SC land takes the two minutes and twenty-nine seconds or so to watch the video accompanying SJ's Holiday e mail from SC.org. It is a day where we do need to stop and reflect on the incredible journey we've all been on in aviation and, of course, in life.
It was 20 years ago that I, too, went through a Darkest Hour. While it was non-aviation related (I didn't start walking away from not one but two destroyed airplanes until later), the event did knock me out of flying for awhile.
Two years later, in 2000, a new acquaintance by the name of cgnesin made me go flying. And I was back in the game. Against his advice I bought a J-3 on a total whim (SJ, I was supposed to buy a Cherokee). cgnesin mastered my new Cub in all of 36 minutes or so. SC.org came along shortly thereafter. The rest, as they say, is history.
There aren't enough words to describe the adventures that have followed. At the heart of this adventure has been the one constant that has greatly enriched my life and guaranteed that I will someday go to the Great Nap with a really big grin on my face--that would be the many, many friends I've had the pleasure of getting to know over the last 15+ years of larking about with SC.org people.
I blame SJ, of course. And I bet I'm not alone. SC.org and all that has gone with it has enriched a lot of lives and--fortunately--show no sign of abating. The adventures continue and the enrichment overflows as we all wing our way merrily into the future of flying.
So, where ever you are today please pause and give a moment of thanks. The blessing of having a family of friends is not to be overlooked. I look forward to seeing you all on the grass somewhere, sometime.
JP