August 19 is Aviation Day.
Even with the rising costs of air travel, fees, and long waits on the tarmac, most of us have to admit we are pretty grateful that Orville & Wilbur Wright kept trying until they made it happen.
I grew up flying. My grandfather had his pilot's license and until a heart condition made him give it up, I had the joy of flying in a little Cessna 210. I will never forget hitting air pockets and having my breath taken away as we dropped. And one of my best childhood memories is flying to attend an air show in a different part of our state.
September 11, 2001, changed air travel in ways I wish it hadn't. My children will never know the joy of seeing off someone at the gate, one of my favorite memories. We no longer get to welcome travelers as they deplane.
But when my 20-month old points to the sky and says "airplane," my heart still thrills at the wonder of it.
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