Happy Thanksgiving!

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A PILOT’S THANKSGIVING

One thing a pilot and his/her family learn early on in their flying career is that birthdays, anniversaries, family gatherings, and holidays are not to be taken for granted. I never kept track of it, but I would estimate I missed half of the Thanksgivings and Christmases. It was just the way it was. We still celebrated Thanksgiving, but usually a day or two later than everyone else.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, because it is not so commercialized as Christmas. I mean, yes they are trying to ruin it by pushing Christmas shopping as close as they possibly can to Thanksgiving. But the day itself, for me has significant meaning. It’s a time to reflect in gratitude. For my family. For my life … the things I have been able to experience. For my health. For my career. For the roof over our heads. For being an American. And so much more.

I was gone from home a lot when I was flying, but the only times I was really, truly lonely were Thanksgiving and Christmas days. I missed my family. But if you want to be a pilot you take it in stride. There was usually at least one other crewmember at the layover hotel who l could share Thanksgiving meals with. And most of them were like extended family to me.