Hair blowing wildly indicating wind direction as well as any sock, I took off. I flew well and with conviction, an integral part of the show. I was not a mere spectator, but an active participant, and I was welcomed there. The wind and the clouds were smiling, and my smile matched and exceeded there's in response.

That school paper came back with a red letter "A". I still have the paper. I came across it not long ago while cleaning and reorganizing after a most difficult time in my adult life. The paper is faded and crinkled around the edges, but do you know what's still there? The spirit. I had it, I've always had it. Even when I didn't know it existed, I found a way to recognize and authenticate it.

Years and years after I dreamed and wrote that paper, life brought flying around again. Once again, after a difficult period in my life, I found myself connected to that gift. After many years of caring for extremely ill patients in the back of aircraft, I actually took to the air at the controls of an airplane. It wasn't always easy mastering the dream. Worthwhile attainments in this life are seldom free, but it was a joy nevertheless. It was a joy, in part, because it recognized my spirit, and the joy and spirit were in alliance. Any time this happens in life, it is a gift.

As you know, I grew up in the country on a family farm. After I received a degree in nursing, I worked in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for seven years, transporting very ill children across the Pacific Northwest. My dream to fly was rekindled by those experiences, and I acquired my private pilot's license in 1981 in Spokane, Washington. I later relocated to southeast Washington when I married.

Undaunted and inspired, I climbed through the aviation ratings and started to teach flying in 1989. When I started teaching, my children were very young, ages three and four. The local male pilots used to say, "Would a mother do anything dangerous?" In addition to flight instructing, I towed gliders, sprayed mosquitoes,and flew photo flights, charter and freight.

Over three years ago, I was nearly killed in a head-on motor vehicle accident when another driver entered my lane. During my time in intensive care, under the influence of pain numbing narcotics, I asked everyone "Will I be able to walk again?" and "Will I be able to fly again?" I had no idea I had said those things, and it just made me realize again the importance of flying in my life.

The year following the accident I went through a painful divorce while still recovering from my injuries. I started flying again as soon as possible and this year I attained my Multi-Engine Flight Instructor rating and Airline Transport Pilot's license. I'm now seeking employment as a corporate pilot.

I've flown quite a few hours now, but it never seems like quite enough. I've had some interesting jobs in flying, but the one that has been most in alliance has been that of sharing flying with those that have the spirit. When the person next to me is in personal rapture, I'm glad to be a part of it. It's just amazing what life brings around. A skinny girl, who dreamed of a life out there while lying in the middle of a grassy field, captured and lives the dream.

Kathy Walker has a degree in nursing and worked in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for seven years, transporting very ill children across the Pacific Northwest. She earned her private pilot's license in 1981 in Spokane, Washington and this year attained her Multi-Engine Flight Instructor rating and Airline Transport Pilot's license. She's now seeking employment as a corporate pilot.