Recently, I interviewed an aerobatic pilot and a wing walker. I come from an airplane-loving family, and, although I am not an aviation buff myself, I can appreciate the beauty of aviation.
My husband has a dream of flying in a Stearman: breeze in his goggled face, brown leather pilot cap strapped over his ears and white scarf trailing in the wind. He was excited that I had the opportunity to take these photos. Now, this particular stunt plane happens to be a modified Super Stearman. It is an open-cockpit biplane that once had two seats, but now has just one - a modification needed for the type of stunts it performs.
The experienced aerobatic pilot was quite interesting to speak with. He gave me (and my children) a tour of the plane and talked a bit about the history of it. But, what really captured my attention was the passion with which this man spoke of his respect and admiration for his wing walker. And, it turns out, that is for good reason.
I had no idea that his wing walker doesn't use a tether. That means this gentleman walks the wings of the plane, does headstands and performs other stunts - while the plane is in flight - and he is completely unsecured. I am pretty sure I will never be able to watch his act. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps and that horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. This man is absolutely amazing.
But, it made me think of the great responsibility upon the shoulders of this pilot, too. He not only is taking care of his vintage plane and his own life and those who are watching the airshow, but he also is responsible for that man walking on the wings under his command as he focuses on his one job: holding steady the plane. And, that puts a lot into perspective for me.
There is a great trust that develops between two good friends, two business partners, a patient and physician, a man and his God. That trust is earned and then it becomes implicit - something that defines the relationship.
It reminds me of my marriage. I trust my husband with everything. I trust that he will make the right decisions for our family. I trust that when I come to him with new job opportunities, he will honestly tell me if it is the right time for our family. I trust him to make sure I am teaching our children well, and, if he asks me to do something differently, I try my best to work through it with him. I do this out of respect, because I have seen him take care of me and take care of our family, time and time again. I have been through wonderful times with this man and I have been through difficult times. He is rooted in his faith and he is the one person who truly grounds me. We are bound together by mutual trust.
So it is with these two men. They have a bond of trust - perhaps similar to the one I have with my husband. Though I probably won't be walking untethered on the wings of a plane my dear husband is piloting, I am metaphorically walking untethered in the world. However, that bond of trust is the tether that brings me back, day after day, night after night, no matter what the day may bring.
Whether that bond for you is your bond with Christ, your bond with a spouse, your bond with a good friend, or your bond with a business partner, I encourage you to take care of it. Trust is a delicate virtue -for once broken, it is forever broken. Sometimes that tether is strong. With work, despite the palpable weakness, the repair is relatively quick. But sometimes, as with these two men, once broken, it is forever altered. Keep the tether -- whether visible or invisible -- strong. Never take it for granted.
No comments:
Post a Comment