Flying Lessons

Lately, out of the blue, for no real reason at all, I've been feeling like finally pursuing my pilot's license. I haven't ever really been that interested since the last time I started (and accumulated 10 hours) in Colorado but never finished. I think now I'm interested again...don't really know why.

I had lunch with an astronaut friend a few weeks ago. I mentioned that I was thinking about getting my pilot's license but I have admittedly become more risk-adverse since becoming a mom. So the whole risk of dying in a little plane crash wasn't worth the benefit of me getting a pilot's license. I half expected him to give me a little grief about it, but instead he said that he too has become more risk-adverse since becoming a dad (despite the whole high-risk astronaut thing...) and didn't blame me at all. So he didn't even blink or give me any grief over my irrational fear and I felt pretty good about that. Since becoming a parent, there's just a little new switch that clicks on every time I think about doing something a little risky, whereas pre-Anna I'd jump at a chance. The little switch asks me what my benefit is over the risk and if it's something I really WANT to do.

The recent events of Natasha Richardson remind me why I've opted for piano lessons instead...

This is why I KNOW for a fact that Anna's role in my life has shown me empathy. I didn't even know who Natasha Richardson was but I can only imagine what her family is going through. And feel a little sad for them.

That would totally, totally suck.