I thought we were crazy two years ago when we let Nikolas travel to China with his school....without us. I had that very same feeling Sunday morning when I was told that Nikolas and Emalie had been invited to go up in Danielle's balloon.... without us. Both Leo and Danielle are superb at their ballooning skills, but there is just something about sending your children 2,000' feet in the air and not being there to supervise them. Heck, I won't let Emalie ride her bike in the driveway without one of us out there with her! However, overprotective as I am in so many ways, there was no way I was going to come between our kids and such an amazing experience. I had faith in Danielle and faith that our kids would 'step up to the bat' in this situation. So with a hug and a smile, we sent our kids off to soar. The smiles on their faces after the flight was well worth the trepidation I harbored at sending them off. I guess that feeling will come again, in the future, as we prepare to send them each on their way into the real world. My only hope is that somehow, someway, when that time comes they will have a pilot as safe and certain as Danielle. Thank you, Danielle, for this once-in-a-lifetime experience for Nikolas and Emalie. I know they will never forget it. Thank you!
