FLYING WITH AN ANGEL

(by - Michelle)

Michelle flying at Beechmont.

It was Tuesday morning, 29th November 2005. As I lay in my cosy bed, the sunlight peeped through my curtains, and I caught a glimpse of the clear blue sky. The year so far had proven to be mentally and emotionally challenging by the passing of my beautiful mother earlier in the year, and as I had persisted throughout the year to complete my studies, I promised myself a time of rest, and to be at piece with her spirit. Almost unexpectedly, the idea of floating in the sky came into my mind.

As I'd often had dreams of flying, making the decision to learn how to hang glide was an easy one. A quick chat on the phone to Ken Hill, and four days later, I found myself running down a hill strapped to a hang glider. Little did I know of the wonderful journey ahead of me.

I arrived in Canungra early on Saturday morning with the mindset of just staying-out the weekend in order check out what was actually involved in becoming a hang glider pilot, though in my anticipation and excitement, I packed my bags for the whole 9 days just-in-case, and arrived with more luggage than anyone had ever seen. Perhaps they thought that I was just a city chick, who probably wouldn't survive the first day. Some of the boys also found amusement in the fact that I wore crisp white shorts in which to go skidding down the training hill, though I tried in vain to explain that I didn't expect to be strapped to a hang glider within 4 hours of arrival.

Now, I know I was only a little bit slighter in frame than some of the boys on the training hill, but I can tell you, if you can drag a hang glider back up a training hill more than once, then you're pretty damn good, because I sure couldn't, and if you didn't know what hamstrings and calf muscles were when you started, then you were sure to find out v-e-r-y quickly.

For a novice, if you've never seen the size of those training hills, perhaps there is a very good reason why they don't tell you that a pair of knee pads may come in very handy and that a helmet is essential - until you arrive.

If you had asked me if I could see myself flying off the top of Mt Tamborine within 9 days of training, I would have said 'no way!', but it wasn't because I was terrified of Mt Tamborine, it was because I didn't have faith in myself or in the fact that the hang glider itself already knows how to fly.

As time went on, I became overwhelmed at the support and encouragement that Leeroy, Jon, and Kat showed in helping me to achieve my goal and to overcome my fears. Not only did they offer me encouragement, but they welcomed me into their homes and into the 'Hang Gliding Family'.

When I found myself on the top of Mt Tamborine on Tuesday 20th December, all rigged up and ready to fly, I realised what hang gliding meant to me. It meant so much more than a sport; it was going to be a wonderful journey. I knew that it wasn't the type of sport you learned in a couple of weeks, or even months, and I also knew that the friendships to be made would be ones that would last a lifetime. Standing on top of this mountain, was quite an emotional time for me, yet I felt no fear.

As I slowly stepped forward to break into launch I prayed that my mum would be taking care of me right then, and guide me safely back down to earth, and as my feet left the ground, I knew I was flying with an Angel. Each time my wings take me to the sky, I know I'll find her there.