Today I was listening to the news about the pilot who died in flight from Brussels to Newark. Gabriel was playing on the couch and stopped to listen for a moment and then asked me, "why do airplanes have propellers?" After thinking for a moment or two, I decided to suggest he ask Papa because, "he knows a whole bunch about airplanes." For those of you who don't know us so well, Jon finished his pilot's license between our first two dates, which were a month apart.
I explained that Papa used to come fly to where I lived and then fly us to a far a way place to have lunch and then we would fly some more (different route) to see other places from the sky. He thought that I was talking about flying in a plane like when they flew up to Utah for Uncle Saul's wedding. I told him that Papa knew how to "drive" the plane, that should curl Jon's hair a bit!
As we were talking I had such a big ole' sadness come over me. Jon had worked for years to complete his pilot's license. He started when living in Morenci working for Phelps Dodge. He had to drive down to Safford to get the flying lessons and rent a plane. Moving down to the Mesa area made it easier, once he got hired by Scottsdale Police Dept. and he had a regular income again. During this time he also bought his first home so it was a slow process.
Since we left there in June of 1979, it has been almost impossible for him to fly. Either it was out of our budget or there was nothing to fly, that I would trust . . . . hey! I knew how much I needed him and was pretty scared that I would be left without him . . . something that selfish old me just doesn't ever want to think about!
Anyway, he never dreamed that once he got the license, he would hardly ever get to use it. We have both been disappointed, I love flying with him. He has been so unselfish and put his family first. He's had to live with so many financial set backs with moves and wage freezes that went on for years longer than they were supposed to. Through it all, he has fed his love from an "arm chair" and indulged in other interests that were more affordable. . . . boy do I miss him. . . Hurry home Sweet Thang!
2 comments:
What a sweet post for your sweetheart!
That is so sweet! I love learning more about my friends. I had no idea that Jon got his pilots liscense. Parents sacrifice so much for their families. But we wouldn't have it any other way, would we? By the way, where is he?
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