The conversation at a a local cafe took a plunge into the past. One man at the table flew helicopters in Vietnam, and another was headed toward competing in the Olympics. The pilot said he had taken his grandson to fly one of the original Hueys. I asked if there was a video of the experience. There was. He scrolled through hundreds of photos on his phone to find it. 

 

It was amazing to look at the back of their heads... the younger one with dark hair, and the older with gray. The scenery was also visible through the windshield, with lots of greenery in the Virginia landscape. I could not tell if there were open sides on the copter, as I have seen in movies while gutsy soldiers parachute into the clouds or haul up the ropes on a rescue at sea. 

 

The diver too had a video of his early career, back when his entry into the pool made more of a splash. As his ability increased his two and a half twist was so clean the surface barely noticed. His supple body folded like origami in a split second. 

 

I have a shelf of feel good stories. The books chronicle kindnesses like when a small boy passed a bedraggled beggar on a city street. The child pulled a crumpled five dollar bill from his pocket, and against the will of his mother dropped it in the man's hat. The guy was so moved by the boy's generosity he resolved to never drink again. Another chapter described a father in the act of being robbed. His first response was to be scared for his family, but when he prayed he heard a familiar psalm. 
 

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."

 

Suddenly his thoughts were elevated above sea level and he saw the intruder not as a criminal but as a desperate victim himself, mired in poverty. His heart opened up, and he willingly gave his money, his camera, and the food in his refrigerator. All fear disappeared without a splash. 

 

It is a privilege to hear about the adventures of people who flew, and trained their bodies to the limits of power. It warms my heart to read about acts of compassion. 

 

But living it offers a whole different level of joy.