A New Year Prayer

[frank carlisle]

A long time ago I calculated that I would be 53 at the turn of the century. It took years for it to come around but it finally did. I was elated that I had lived that long, but a small dark cloud rolled across my mindscape and along with it came a picture of my tombstone.
It read----
Born 1946
Died 2000
I thought to myself at the time that the tombstone made me look like I'd only had enough juice to make it to the year two thousand and not enough to get me around the horn. I didn't much like that notion so I edited my tombstone to read:
Born 1946
Died 2010
That looked a great deal better. But now that I am here and still alive and somewhat robust I'm figuring the tombstone really should read:
Born 1946
Died 2020
That looks a hell of a lot better. It gives the idea that here was a man that had stuff to do.
Someday a visitor to the cemetary will pass by my tombstone and read the inscription and think "that guy had a good run". Little will they know that instead of curing cancer or solving world hunger I built a zillion model airplanes and whiled away nearly a centuries worth of summer days flying them with my buddies.
Today is the first day of 2011. I'll be flying with my buddies in a couple of hours.
I plan to still be here in 2020 and my prayer is that all of us friends will still be around too.
Happy New Year Everybody

[minnesotamodeler]

Thanks, Frank.

10-year plans, huh?

I'm shooting to beat my grandfather's run...he was born in 1890 and lived until 1988. (98 years of you're math-challenged)

Think of it...he drove a horse and wagon as a young man. 
He was a teenager when the Wright brothers flew.
He saw Henry Ford's first Model Ts.
Then he saw man walk on the moon.
He could have seen Haley's Comet...twice. (He didn't look either time!)

His theme could have been "the times, they are a-changin'"!

--Ray

[Leester]

Happy New Year to you Frank and good flyin to you and your buddies today. It's awfull windy here in Illinois and the temp went from mid fifties to mid teens. Think I'll go to Menards and then stay in the garage and build my fuselage jig, and watch some football. The heaters on 

[John Stiles]

A long time ago I calculated that I would be 53 at the turn of the century. It took years for it to come around but it finally did. I was elated that I had lived that long, but a small dark cloud rolled across my mindscape and along with it came a picture of my tombstone.
It read----
Born 1946
Died 2000
I thought to myself at the time that the tombstone made me look like I'd only had enough juice to make it to the year two thousand and not enough to get me around the horn. I didn't much like that notion so I edited my tombstone to read:
Born 1946
Died 2010
That looked a great deal better. But now that I am here and still alive and somewhat robust I'm figuring the tombstone really should read:
Born 1946
Died 2020
.................................................

I thought I was the only one who did that! Nice thoughts and good parayer....I'll join ya in that one!

[john e. holliday]

My what a way to greet the NEW YEAR.  Of course I looked at my wife just before my birthday and told her I can't beleive I've lasted this long.  I have lost count of how many people I have outlived age wise.  Three brothers to start off with.  They were 49, 59 and 65 when they left this world.   Maybe if I sniff enough dope fumes I will make it to year 2100 with the advances in medicine and technology.   But then again think why?   The was this old world is going nobody will be around by then.  My Dad was old enough to see the turn of the century and talked about the things he went thru.  He was 50 when I was born.  Was twenty when he left this planet just before his 70th birthday.  But enough morbid stuff.   HAPPY NEW YEAR and I hope to be flying more.

[Bill Heher]

Amen Frank!
 I am with you- I pray that this ball-o-mud keeps spinning through all of mankind's follies and leaves us all time to enjoy our loved ones, flying buddies and friends of all flavors!

Happy 2011 everyone

[George]

Some of you guys have a gloomy attitude.

I'm gonna live forever...or die trying!  

George

Edit: Forgot to include, Have a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!

[Bill Little]

Amen, Brother Frank!

The Doc always tells me "That you will live until you die".  Let's hope that day is a good ways in the future and that we can ENJOY the time we have left.  Which sure ain't as much as we already had! LOL!!  Got too many things left to do with family and friends.

AS an aside, my Grandfather raised me.  Born in 1905 he saw a ton more "changes" than I ever will.  He lived with us until he passed at 78.  Still fairly strong, physically, and had a perfect heart, but exposure to chemicals in the building trade, etc., when nobody knew the hazards, was his undoing.  Actually left this world before his time, but, it was HIS time.  Seems it's that way for many of us!

Big Bear

[John Stiles]

Actually left this world before his time, but, it was his time..........

Big Bear

You mean HIStime

[frank carlisle]

You mean HIStime 


I don't get it. What am I missing?

BTW---I'm geekrd about the 2011 flying season. Actually -- everything else too.

[frank carlisle]

HIM, as in the BOSS, the CREATOR, the BIG GUY upstairs, need I go on?

That pretty much covers it Ty. Now I get it and I agree.

[George]

That pretty much covers it Ty. Now I get it and I agree.

I missed it too, Frank. I must agree that we are all just penciled-in and HE holds both the pencil and the eraser...the permanent ink comes later.

George

[Robert Schroeder]

True, but remember also that, " Life is what happens while you're making other plans."  Personally, about the only plans I make anymore are to go to contests.  Other than that, I go with the flow.  And of course, build and fly as much as possible, but nothing's in stone.

bob