Note: This page includes personal reflections and storytelling, shared in a light-hearted tone and inspired by conversations with my great-grandchildren. It is meant for general interest and lifestyle reflection, not as instruction or advice.
Flying Through the Air? Oh My! I can remember my younger great-grandchildren coming up to me with smiles, giggles and a twinkle in their eyes. Pranks and teasing were next. This time, it was rapid-fire questions.
“Did you ever have any adventures or stories that you could tell us? Did you ever do anything exciting? Did you have any pets? What did you do for fun? What games did you play? Who taught them to you? Was it always so boring growing up?”
The Questions Continue
“Mom and Dad said you lived on a farm? Did you get to ride horses all day? I know, I know…did you slop the pigs?” The word slop brought more whoops and giggles. “What else was different? Did you really have a refrigerator on the wall? Did you have a computer and television like Mom and Dad do?”
“Grandpa was talking about a landline. Do you know what that is? Grandpa said for me to ask you since you were the brains in the family. Don’t you have any stories to tell us? Even Mom said that you had a story to tell us, if we would sit and listen. I’m ready! Would you please tell us a story?”
After laughing, my idea was to tell them they had to count how many times I said “Oh, My!” while I was telling them my story. You know me–give more than they ask for to receive more questions.
Great-Grandmother’s Stories of Flying
“Alright, alright. I will tell you about flying through the air over my lifetime.”
It was a happening thing for me! Sometimes it was on purpose, and other times, flying was not. The first fun time was fun! I happily flew from that top bunk, but when I landed on my bum and broke my collar bone, your Great-great Grandparents said “Oh, My!”
“Yeah, you told us already about the quilter and printer stuff! Are you done already, too?”
No, since the next trip was another drop and this one had no witnesses.
“Because I was Su-per-man!”
It was a twelve-foot drop from the flat rooftop Oh, My! Drove my heels into the wet ground really deep! I held up my hand and showed them how deep. (about 1/2 inch)
Next is–Skating on ice is such a joy! Except when that patch of ice decides to challenge your steps–Ker-plunk! you’re on your back! That really wasn’t so bad–But the 30-pound pup, Oh, My! She just didn’t understand why she got an extra-hard hug!
“Oh, yeah!” Came from the youngest twin and he slapped his twin brother on the shoulder. “I knew she had pets!” I just smiled.
The Gymnastics Classroom Wall
The next time I flew through the air was okay because I was in gymnastics. The routine I was learning needed another leap or two. I decided to add a run plus that leap or two, Oh, My! So, when I put it all together, It was a race toward the far wall! (I pointed toward the other side of the porch and they looked to see how far that was.)
Momentum built even more as I turned and tumbled, Oh, My! I was racing toward that wall! My vertical jump, just two feet from that wall diverted energy and injury, saving that wall! (All the children laughed.)
The oldest “grand” spoke, “Grandpa said you liked gymnastics, too. THAT’S why you watch the Olympics on TV.” I just nodded because I wasn’t done.
My Unexpected Flight
My next flight was unexpected. It was on the farm, out in the field with studs and mares.
I already knew Studly, the pony, was “feeling his oats, Oh, My!” His ground-covering, four-footed hops moved him quickly and swiftly toward Isis, the mare of his choice.
I lost sight of her in the field; But Studly had seen me as the cow came to be fed. (I took my phone and showed them a picture of a pony, which they passed around.)
The cow and I were in his way. The cow was bigger, I was smaller and he came quickly across the field. Studly side-slammed into my right side, throwing me 15 feet into the air. Isis, twice his size, galloped away from him, Oh, My!
With a thud, my body landed and I didn’t want to move! The feed bucket had flown and Studly danced to Isis. From the ground to a leaning stance, I struggled to the fence post. (I stood, bent double and showed them how I moved.) Once I was there, I breathed easy and slow–But, walking was difficult!
Later, the Doctor was amazed I was standing. When she looked at my coat I had been wearing, the dirty spot was this big. (I held my hands about shoulder-width apart.) So, they took an X-ray. They also gave the standard pain relievers and told me “to come back,” if needed.
Some of the “grands” were asking, “Didn’t that hurt?” Yes, I was doing no flying through the air and a very slow-moving walk for a few days.
One Last Time in the Air
“One more to tell,” I told the grand and great-grandkids. The last time I flew, was off the bed of the truck. I missed my three-point hold on the bed of the truck and seconds later I was sprawled on the ground, Oh, My!
Thankfully, I finally had learned to relax while in the seconds of air-flight, just before the ungainly landing. After lying there for a moment and catching my breath, I stood to continue my work. I was thinking, “I’m done with Flying Through the Air, Oh, My!” The End.
“Uuuhh, who is Superman?” was asked by the youngest “grand.” I never knew if they counted the “Oh, My’s” in my story, although I did get another question. Mission accomplished. But, that’s when I woke from my dream!
By the way, all the “flying through the air” moments were real experiences. Until that dream, I had not counted how many times I flew and I never realized how often life had lifted me up and dropped me back down again.
Turns out I’m not the only one who’s been knocked flat and had to figure out which way was up afterward. Rory Ricord writes about that same kind of unexpected redirection, just in business instead of barnyards with his book Marketing Is Freedom. Different kind of falling but the same lesson. You get up, you get your bearings, and you keep forward motion.
If that’s a lesson you’d like to read more about, register to the right of this page “Favorite Thing from the Community” (it’s the same form that gets you into our 60-day giveaways). Just mention the book and I’ll send you a free PDF in an email, when your information comes my way.
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