Family

In class we discussed the importance of family figures in a child's development. I believe that everyone has a vital moment in their life when they realize how important family is. Some moments have such an impact on people that they can be life defining. One moment that has had an impact of this magnitude on me is when my grandfather crashed his plane.

My grandfather has been a pilot for about fifty years now. He has always been one to teach my cousins and me valuable lessons, but he really took that philosophy to the next level when he decided to teach us how to fly. About seven years ago during one of our weekly lessons something happened that will stay in my mind forever. It was the three of us, my cousin Carl, my grandfather, and me. We were at Zerbe Airport near Lancaster Pennsylvania, and it was a beautiful day to fly. We took turns going first because the plane we learned to fly in could only hold two people. My cousin Carl was the first to go this time. The last thing I remember was seeing them take off; little did I know, after that plane left the ground my life would never be the same. One hour went by and no sign of them. After about the second hour I saw an ambulance speed up the runway towards the forest at the end of it. My cousin would later tell me the story that changed not only the way I look at my grandfather, not only the way I look at family, but the way I look at life. Sitting in the hospital room my cousin told me everything. Apparently, shortly after the plane took off, they experienced a major malfunction in the engines main spin shaft. My grandfather told Carl that they were going to crash but because of my grandfathers sense of humor Carl didn't think much of it. However, as the tops of the trees came closer and closer to the plane Carl realized it was not a joke. The plane plowed into the trees at almost one hundred mph, demolishing the plane. After the shredded metal came to a stop, my grandfather opened his eyes to a horrible pain in his back and to the sight of my unconscious cousin. Knowing that the fuel tank was full and that the plane could explode at any moment, my grandfather dragged my two hundred pound cousin and himself too safety. The doctors would later tell us that my grandfather's back was broken and that he had severe nerve damage. When my grandmother questioned the doctor on how her husband was able to pull my cousins limp body to safety, the doctor replied saying, "I