We are exceedingly fortunate. In an age of increasing economic mobility, impersonal communication, and social media, my family has stayed close both emotionally and in proximity.

One of the subtleties of aging is recognizing our own idiosyncrasies in others. Things we thought only existed in our minds, turn out as recognizable and common among us all.

Some events occur with absolute certainty and although experienced many times, upon arrival, are somehow unexpected.

We all engage in activities to reduce the stress in our lives, expand our horizons, and to simply relax and enjoy our allotted time on this earth. For me, that means spending time with friends and family, reading, fishing, and in low altitude orbit while flying a 50-year-old Piper Cherokee aircraft.