“That is your legacy on this Earth when you leave this Earth: how many hearts you touched.” —Patti Davis
While attending a monthly meeting of my local chapter of Women in Aviation, I was introduced to a gentleman who works for Flight Safety international. I recognized his name and asked him if he was related to a certain person with whom I had attended high school. It turned out he is her brother! Wow, what a small world. This chance meeting was to revel much more.
As it goes in small town scenarios, I identified myself as the oldest daughter of Paul Hancock which caused a thousand pieces of history to snap into place between us without words. The gentleman then told me it was my father who had given him his first airplane ride as a boy.
Legacy In One Short Aircoupe Ride
That ride took place from the small grass airstrip, just outside our hometown of Plainville, KS, in the very airplane I fly today, Aircoupe, N3052G. It was there he got his first taste of aviation. He went onto fly P-3s for the US Navy, followed by several civilian positions flight instructing before joining Flight Safety International.
In my post, Becoming a Lover of History, I alluded to “intersections and circles of history” that form a backdrop to our lives. This backdrop not only occurs in the grand scheme of things, but also in seemingly small personal ways.
They are there. Yes they are, but honing our vision to not only recognize their presence, but then to discern their significance for today can serve to strengthen the purpose, vision adn even legacy of the Stonebridge upon which we walk. So when these happenstances occur, what do we do?
Here are some possibilities:
- As a person of faith, I inwardly acknowledge the providence of God in the matter and give thanks.
- Ask with intention, what does this mean? It is a wonderful “God Wink” moment to enjoy, or is there more to it?
- How does this change me? my perspective? my actions?
- Is there an action I need to or simply want to take as a result of this moment?