Just Us: Just Fly

We went to Florida to see the premier of the documentary, "Fly Like A Girl." With the "Me Too Movement," the Weinstein trial and the release of the movie, "Bombshell," it seemed fitting to see a film about strong women. I cheer strong women and always have, but there was a sadness to the film that could be felt by every woman in the audience who has been told, "No, you can't, you're a woman." This was more than mental and physical discrimination. This was a perverse mindset.

I was especially affected by the way women who were being trained to fly to assist the military during World War II were treated. They were there to help. To free up military men for priority assignments. And yet, there were men who refused to teach these women how to fly. Some men spoke about the women pilots like they were the enemy. And, at least one woman pilot was killed in a crash because someone put sugar in her plane's gas tank. Why? Because a man felt threatened? Because the pilot wasn't doing what society expected of her? Because the sky belongs to men? It's senseless. And it's sad.

There were high points--the Marine who flew in and saved a downed crew when she had limited fuel and ammunition was a show stopper. She actually met one of the crew men in a hospital who thanked her for saving his life.

It was inspiring to see so many women who didn't take "no" for an answer. To watch them do what they love and what they are good at despite barriers and attitudes was the heart of the film.

I hope that when our granddaughters find their passions--no matter what they are, that they are encouraged and supported by all segments of society and especially, their own family. I hope that one day we don't need a documentary for young girls and young women to know that they can achieve their dreams and fly as high as they dare in any arena. One day I want people to just fly. Not like a man, not like a woman, not like a girl. Just fly if that's what they want to do. That has been my hope since 1970. Now, if I can just live long enough to see it really happen.

And, speaking of granddaughters.....on a lighter note, we got to spend time with Alex. Oh, what an amazing little thing she is. She loves puzzles and Legos. She has a Lego frog and I took the head apart and put the eyes of the frog in sideways. She told me that I had done it wrong because now the frog couldn't see. She fixed the eyes and told the frog he was "All Better!" She kept froggy away from me after that!

She has memorized at least 10 songs; many of them in English and Spanish. She runs laps around the living room, builds castles out of wooden blocks, kicks a soccer ball and loves to read. New Year's Eve made a big impression on her! She will count backward from 10 and when she gets to one, she yells, "Happy New Year!!" Then, she puts her fingers to her lips and makes a sound like a party favor.

Her speech has matured and so have her reasoning skills. At 2, she is independent--well, as independent as she can be, but she knows her own mind. She is 90% potty trained and she has expanded her vocabulary to include feelings. She will ask you how you are, how is your day and will compliment you by telling you that you are smart or beautiful when you tell her she is. Alex and I were sitting in the kitchen yesterday, she was eating and Brenda was getting ready for work. I told her to be kind to people at school and she said, "Momo, YOU have to be kind too." I asked her who I should be kind to and she thought for a few seconds and said, "Papa!" I told you she was smart!

We had such a good time with David and Brenda as well as Alex. They took us to a great restaurant called, "Nineteen 61." The food was fantastic and they had a good variety of things on the menu.

We played corn hole, although, like golf, I don't think how I played could be called "playing" corn hole. It was more like "aiming at the impossible." In two different matches, I scored 1 point. Just one--not one per game, just one point. David and Tony scored in the high 50's and Brenda wasn't far behind. But it was fun.

The lanai addition that they put on has added a huge amount of floor space to enjoy. Right now, it's a work in progress; they have the tile for the floor picked out and some furniture, so once it's finished it will be great to sit outside, but be protected.

We look forward to the next time we see the "Lakeland Swegle's!" Look at that little face!