Memories & Nostalgia

When I was quite small, it wasn’t uncommon for all of us - my 2 brothers, sister, Mom, and myself with Dad driving - to pile into the car and go out for a Sunday drive. We lived in Central Jersey at the time, and my Dad would take us to an airport nearby to watch planes take off and land. He loved planes, maybe because he worked as an engineer in the aeronautics department of his company. It was fun to watch the planes.

I have a vivid memory of asking my Dad about the “thing on the pole” that blew one way or another, or just hung there. I received a great lesson on what a wind sock is, and how it helps the pilots with take offs and landings, the part the wind plays in flying. I don’t remember a lot of the details of what my Dad said, but I do remember his voice, and how special it was to have a rare moment like that with him. He went to school nights for 10 years to get his degree, worked during the days, and studied at night…so yes, those moments were rare treasures. The picture shows him holding me when I was less than a year old.