Just as the tomotherapy unit takes pictures of the area and pinpoints what part of the body needs  to be radiated, a recent trip to Arley reminded me of the importance of staying on course.

  The people of Arley and Officer Rick have a special place in my heart.   They've been asking me for two years to come to Arley to speak.  But the hour and a half drive from the station makes it hard to schedule such a trip.  So last summer Officer Rick said the town would have a helicopter come pick me up.  I agreed.  But then as you may recall last September I was diagnosed for a second time with cancer.  The battle to schedule treatments and keep working made that trip impossible last year.

So this year I was asked again.  Since they were so gracious, I accepted the invitation.  I have to admit.  I felt like a child at Christmas.  I love to fly in helicopters.  My helicopter/ chariot flew to the station.  

Rusty Banks, the pilot rose above the station and above the trees.  Oh how beautiful and relaxing.  I know some people get a little nervous flying but for some reason helicopters relax me.   I'm not so fearful since my two cancer battles and enjoy boating and flying  more and worry less. While we were soaring above Smith Lake, Rusty pointed out the very spot he had crashed once.   He also showed me that he was missing a finger.  He explained, he also hurt his leg pretty badly in that crash and the dash board was sitting on top of him.  I immediatly thought out loud... " I bet you won't do that again!" And we both laughed.   I actually thought I was probably safer in a helicopter with a pilot who had experienced a crash than one who had not.  Because I was sure he'd do everything to avoid it from happening again.

Rusty also had a lot of faith that day.  He allowed me to take control of the helicopter for a few minutes.  He said look up. Because you will fly where you look.  If you look down you'll crash!  Oh yes I looked up at the horizon!

But when we landed and I was speaking to the children of Arley I realized how right Rusty was!  Not just in the helicopter, but in life!  If you look up you will stay on coarse. If you look down you will now doubt crash.  So keep your head up, your chin up as my Dad would alway say.  Look for the good, it is there.  Oh yes the bad is there too but if you look for it and dwell on it you will surely sink.

Thanks Rusty for the wisdom.  Thanks Officer Rick and my new friends in Arley.  I can wait for my next visit!  You were all so gracious and wonder.  Arley is one of the best places in the world to visit and as many people have learned it is one of the best places in the world to live!

God bless,

Brenda