I read an old news report recently in the Internet files of the Los Angeles Times, covering an event that took place in July of 1982. A 33-year-old single truck driver named Larry Walters was arrested for an unusual flight he took over the city. It seems that Larry had always dreamed of flying and had even joined the Air Force to pursue his dream. However, his eyesight disqualified him. 

Years later, at 33, he again pursued his dream in an unorthodox fashion. He purchased 45 large helium weather balloons from the Army/Navy store, tied them to an aluminum lawn chair, strapped on a parachute, took a CB Radio, some food and drink, and took a pellet gun to pop some balloons so he could come down. Some friends then cut the tether holding the chair to his car bumper and watched Larry fly!

Larry thought he would float just above his neighborhood. He was shocked however when his over-inflated lawn chair shot up to 16,000 feet into the approach course to the Los Angeles International Airport! Both Delta and TWA pilots sighted him as they came out of the clouds, sitting there in his lawn chair! Can you imagine those flight crews trying to explain a flying lawn chair to the Airport Radar Controllers? 

Larry drifted out over the ocean and then back over land and finally popped out a few balloons so he could descend. Just as he was landing, the tether lines got caught on the high voltage lines near Long Beach, CA., sending the city into a 20-minute blackout!

As Larry was arrested, a reporter asked him, “Why do you do it?”  He said a profound thing. He said, “A man can’t just sit there!” 

Truth be known, there are untold numbers of people (including some of you) who are just sitting there; not pursuing the God-given dreams inside of them. Many are trapped inside walls that they built themselves. Maybe you are one of them. I remember a Peanuts cartoon where Charlie Brown was practicing archery. But, when every arrow missed the target, he would just draw bull's-eye circles around that arrow. Lucy told him that was not the way to do archery practice. Charlie said, “I know, but it’s the only way I can hit the target!” 

Sadly, too many retired folks are just drawing circles around their life and calling it their target. Many will complain that they can’t get out of the circles (the routine) that they created for themselves. They insist on blaming others…spouses, family, friends, etc. If you fall into this category, you need to remember that dream-pursuing begins with deciding to stop drawing circles around your life. Once you stop blaming your age for your lethargic approach to life, the first step you need to take is found in Proverbs 16:3, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” 

I’m not sure what your faith-culture espouses, but my approach to the future hinges on Jeremiah 29:11, in the Old Testament: “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord; plans to help you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”

You may want to consider HIS plans as you move forward in your life. Check with the nearest Army/Navy Store…they may still have some of those weather balloons! 

Max Holt, Class 02-67
Association Chaplain