When A Chance Meeting Revealed A Legacy

“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.  

Legacy
The Aircoupe

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:

Enjoy the wonder of the moment.  Most of the time, the legacy aspect will come in hindsight.
  1. As a person of faith, I inwardly acknowledge the providence of God in the matter and give thanks.
  2. Ask with intention, what does this mean?  It is a wonderful  “God Wink” moment to enjoy, or is there more to it?
  3. How does this change me?  my perspective?  my actions?
  4. Is there an action I need to or simply want to take as a result of this moment?
In the case of this meeting, I had hoped for another meeting with this gentleman to talk more about his first ride but life has a way of running away.  None-the-less, this circle and intersection touched on at least two of the stones in my Stonebridge:  Family and Flying.  It added to the story of my father’s legacy he left behind.  A legacy he was unaware of.
Because of how I have learned to process these moments, it also touches on Faith.  For now, I wanted to share this one with you all.
How do your circles and intersections inform and form your Stonebridge?  

I am a former air traffic controller, pilot, Aircoupe owner, married 42 years to a great guy. We live in a 125+ year old historic Victorian, enjoy cats, vintage anything, precious friends. My passion is Giving Lost Stories A Voice – Giving Found Materials Fresh Form and Purpose!

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