Who would ever think becoming a Private Pilot would help me get through one of the biggest challenges of my life?  Actually - I did.

The past few months have been filled with an increasing concern for my wife. 

As a cancer suvivor you always know in your heart that once cancer finds a path into your body - it can always find that path againm and that’s exactly what has been going on and for the last 10 days and things have gotten very serious. 

Not good right?  Wrong!  At least now we all know what we’re dealing with - Stage 4 cancer.

We have support and we have a plan and the battle has begun in full force!  Of course, it didn’t happen right away.  In fact, the shock one feels in situations like this can cause you to stop in place, frozen and unable to move.  Then again, I’m not wired that way.

So - we have a plan and we’re moving forward.  I’ll give you more details later but for now my wife and I have decided to take a second honeymoon in Costa Rica… and while we’re there we’re going to see about getting her fixed.  Maybe a visit to the rain forest, a trip down a zip line or a swim with the dolphins would could be worked in too!  Just because you’re sick doesn’t mean you stop moving right? 

So what about that Pilot thing?

Flying an airplane of any size requires focus and attention.  It’s not dangerous when done right and that requires a little risk manangement.  But sometimes things will go wrong and as the pilot in command YOU are resposible for saving YOU.  Freaking out won’t do it.  So what will do it? 

Fly the airplane. 
If you do nothing else, keep flying the airplane.  That will give you time to figure things out.  Next -

Navigate. 
Figure out where you are and what you have to do to get down safe and in one piece.  And once you do that…

Communicate. 
Once you’re in control, know what your problem is, where you are and what kind of help you need - let anyone and everyone know so they can help get you down.

When I chose to learn to fly I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and learned to look at life from a new point of view.  It was a great gift that I’m putting to use now in a way I never expected.

Fly, Naviagate, Communicate - works in the air and on the ground.