WHAT AN ADVENTURE!

Fun fact: since my early 20’s, I have always wanted to go hang gliding.  So to celebrate my 61st birthday, I went hang gliding for the first time ever in my life.  Erica took me across to the Eastern Shore to Virginia Hang Gliding in Painter, VA. 

The Eastern Shore is where Northhampton High School is located.  I graduated from this high school 43 years ago.

I totally enjoyed my time soaring in the skies, and hang gliding was all that I imagined it to be.  Don, the owner/pilot of Virginia Hang Gliding, and his employee “G” were so friendly and inviting that my experience was most spectacular.

Erica and I got a chance to “hang” out with Don after my flight.  He is a cool dude, so easy to talk to.  I could tell that he just lives a simple life, enjoying everything that he does. 

We talked about a lot of things.  Don shared that during COVID, he got shot in the neck by some gang members who were breaking into homes to steal anything.  Don has had 11 surgeries since then and listening to him speak, it seemed like it was so difficult for him to breathe and talk, yet he still just enjoys people and life.

I told him that I have terminal cancer and that I was grateful that he had helped me fulfill one of the items on my bucket list.

Don shared he had provided this amazing adventure to so many different people from all walks of life: young, old, in good health, in bad health, wheelchair bound, and even quite a few people who have been diagnosed with cancer.   Wow what a fulfilling business!

He is a great guy with a big heart and the coolest gift of all was when his girlfriend (I believe her name is Leann) called me the next day, which was my birthday.  (It still brings tears to my eyes just thinking of it.)  She said that Don decided to refund me for my flight because he understood that cancer treatments are expensive.  He just wanted me to have that beautiful memory of when I was up in the air.  WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MAN!

If you ever come to Virginia, please support local small businesses.  If you are wanting to go hang gliding, please consider going to the Eastern Shore to Virginia Hang Gliding in Painter, VA.  It will definitely be the most beautiful experience of your lifetime!

Picture 1:  My high school; Picture 2: Erica and I with “G”; Picture 3: Don; Picture 4: Take off; Picture 5: Descending to land

COMMENTS WHEN BLOG WAS FIRST POSTED ON CARING BRIDGE SITE:

Chiela Silva: You look so cool in the photo taken at your school. Happy to see you happy fulfilling an item in your bucket list. God bless you and God bless and Erica who became the instrument in fulfilling your hang gliding experience.1hearts

Cindy Fisher: May Don be 1000 times blessed! What a wonderful soul!1hearts