Thank you my friends for all the kind words and well wishes.
I got up this morning to a mail box full of kind words, it was a
priceless gift that will not be forgotten. Since John was not here today to
go to the mountains with me, I went alone. I contacted a friend and with his
OK I went up and pulled out his plane and slipped away. John and I had
always talked of flying to Alaska, just to say we had done it. Didn't make
it to Alaska today, but I spent the morning flying through the Sacramento
Mountains and the Guadeloupe Mountains. I shot low approaches on high
mountain meadows as if he and I were going to land and camp. I skirted the
canyon walls and shot the saddles in the passes only to drop into the next
canyon and follow it. Saw some clearings along the streams that must truly
mirror some spots in the great north, only they are so much further south.
Most of the meadows and passes had a light dusting of snow across them, not
enough to amount to much but made the view exceptional. I spent the time
flying as low and as slow as was practical and just soaked up the beauty of
the mountains. Shooting the pass near Hornbuckle Hill I was surprised to see
a single Bull Elk, he was standing dead center of the saddle. He didn't run
or flinch, he just stood there and watched me pass about a hundred feet over
him with a sort of approving look. I looked back at him as I dropped into
the canyon and he was still standing there, watching me fly away. John and I
never got to fly together Physically, but I feel that he was there today,
sharing the beauty and splendor of something we both dreamed of.
No I didn't go looking for him on the other side of the hill, I knew he
wouldn't be there, he had a higher calling today and spent a few last hours
with his "Little Brother". I miss him so much, at times today as the
magnificence of the mountains unfolded beneath my wings I choked up and
wished he was here. Then I realized that as long as I never forget the love
we had for each other, the respect and admiration that was shared, that no
mater what, he would live in my heart and memories. Each flight I take and
each fish I chase, be it alone or with my daughter, will be shared with him
as it is with my dad. They will laugh at the mistakes, cheer the
accomplishments and morn the loss's with me. As long as I never forget the
joy of their presence, I will never let them pass into oblivion. As I pass
on the experiences of them, and remind my Daughter of their accomplishments,
they will never be forgotten and will always live in their deeds and
memories.
John may not have been in the right seat physically, but he was in my
heart, I felt the approval and the anguish that we would be physically
separated until that day that I get to join him and my dad on the other
side. But I also felt the acceptance that he is always there to watch and
listen, only I have to listen a bit more closely for his voice. As I have
had to do for my dad for so many years I now have to be with my brother.
I thank you again my friends, your support and compassion helps me to
know that the internet is not simply a tool, it builds families from as far
away as the mind can ponder. It will take time for this to heal, actually it
will take time for me to accept it, but as time passes, and I learn to
listen more closely, it will become easier to accept that in time we will
see each other again. Until that time I will cherish the memories, repeat
the stories and live as though he was walking with me again. In this way he
will never die, and the tears and heartache can be shared. Each time I stop
to remember, the tears start again, it is still to soon, but with time they
will pass. I keep reminding myself of something my dad ounce said, "strength
is not a physical condition, it is a condition of ones heart and spirit",
Dad was a good man.
I thank you again for your condolences and support, the dept I owe you
all is greater than I can ever repay.
Your Friend,
Jimi
