Above the Clouds

The sky was a dismal grey. After an hour-delay, the plane finally took off and climbed into the clouds. I marveled at man's ability to fly without visual aids. On the ground we're limited by what we can see. Up in the air, we can soar.

Suddenly the plane broke through the clouds. Now we're riding above cottony hills and dales, lit by a bright orange-yellow sun and clear blue sky. I soon forget the flight delay as I watch the beautiful sunset.

This is a different world than one's usual experience. Down below, our vision is occluded by daily responsibilities and chores. We trod along, weighed down by the heaviness of our burdens. We tend to look down, especially as we age, in fear that if we look up we'll fall.

Up above, on the other hand, our woes seem small and inconsequential. We feel lighter, younger, stronger. Here we are guided by instruments whose intelligence we cannot fathom. Lifted on the wings of support from family and friends, we can finally break through the clouds and bask in the sunshine of our dreams.