Between The Clouds

Between the cloudsThe day was beautiful. The grass was vibrant green, as in quenched with water. The breeze cooled the land as the golden bright sun shone with fury. The clouds gave the illusion of being freshly painted. There in the sky only dreams lay, dreams that could only be dreamed, illusions that can only be satisfied by fiction. Only then a rigid buzzing sound interrupted the calm silence. A massive metal bird flew high above the ground, giving the illusion of touching the sky. There, in a split of a second, a dream became real, and an illusion became virtuality. Planes gave wings to people with dreams. It was all men kind needed, to grow wings and soar up the sky, to feel the rush against the wind, to free themselves and fly beyond the clouds. It was the beginning of the Roaring Twenties."Dad, hurry up! It’s getting late. We must leave if we want front seats!" yelled Amelia to her Dad exasperated through the front door of the small white porch. She was wearing a day dress. It was creamy peach, neatly embroided in pink and blue flowers, with a blue belt around her hips, under a long lime over coat. She was wearing a cloche over her neat curls. Her skirt flutter as the breeze blew softly. It was a bright day. Everything looked alive. The clouds moved as if they breathed, the threes danced in the breeze, everything was vivid with color. The front door finally opened, and out came a mature man. He was welled dressed in a stripped shirt with plain white collar. A tweed jacket and pin-stripped pants all in a deep dark mint color. He was fit, his body was of a 30 year old, but his face contrasted his body. He had dark circles underneath his tired eyes, as if he hadn’t slept in months. His face was a field of wrinkles, his hair was badly brushed, but his smile outstood all that. As he came down the porch steps, Amelia took his hand and hold it tight. Her dad smiled as they both walked silently in the fresh grass. Their day was filled with warm memories as the smell of pine filled the air. As they walked further, Amelia locked arms with her Dad and put her had over his shoulder. It was a beautiful afternoon. Her Dad was contemplating the day and realized how fast years pass by. He still remembers her as that beautiful baby he held in his arms. That baby that brighten his life ever since. He remembers that girl who loved being outdoors, whom he played football with. But now she was an adult, no longer a baby. She was in college and very independent. But to him, in his worn out eyes, she will always be that baby. "Dad" Amelia interrupted his thoughts, "thanks for accompanying me." She said with a wide smile. "Well I must say, I feel flatter with all this dates, but sweetheart, as hard this might sound, you must find another handsome man to take you out because my good looks are getting dull with all this sun" he responded chuckling. "Daaad!" Amelia whined jokingly. The walk and walk with the sun above their heads and the crisp grass beneath their feet, with an occasional greeting to neighbors. They came close to a stadium, with long silver bleachers. As they entered, they sat on a bleacher in the first row. As the time passed more people filled the empty spaces. "Ladies and gentle man" said a loud voice over abright yellow megaphone. "Welcome to the air circus!" as the man finished everyone stood up with cheers and applauses. They all sat down as they watch a magnificent silver plane, with its wings spread out so far apart with the promise of flying. It began to glide on the road. Then it took off as the wind embraced it. No one had ever thought flying was ever possible to men, but now in a split of a second a windowed opened and the sky was conquered. It was amazing watching as all the other planes took off and began to do tricks. It was a show in the air, and everyone could feel the ecstasy of being there. People shouted and yelled with excitement as the huge metal birds flew. As they came down, the short man came out again and said "Ladies and gentleman, thank you for coming to our amazing air circus. We enjoyed you all being here. We hope to see you very soon. And now is the time were our amazing pilots will show you even more! Just come to any airplane and they will attend and quench your curiosity." With that said, people spread on the field towards the five planes. "Dad lets go see!" exclaimed Amelia while grabbing her dad’s arm. "I’m sorry sweetheart," her dad said, "but I don’t think I’m up for it. It’s too wild for me. You go ahead, but be home by dinner." "Ok dad" replied Amelia, "I’ll meet you at home." She smiled and waved her dad goodbye as she walked towards the planes.When she near and saw the planes up close, she let out a gasp at the grandeur of the plane. Her heart beat faster as she touched slightly the metal shell. She could imagine the plane submerged in the sky. "May I help you?" said a nice but rough voice. It was a older woman, around her 30’s, in kaki pants and blouse. The suit look big on her, and her hair was very neat in a ponytail. She had a pair of goggles on her head, and she was 2 inches shorter than Amelia. Most people where gone, and the ones there were talking to other pilots. "Hmmm, I was just wondering what it feels to be there" Amelia answered with her head up and her hand pointing towards the sky. "Well, would you like to found out yourself?" she asked with a big smile. Amelia was shocked and began feeling excited. "I would love to" she said as her eyes widened and her heart pounded like a hammer. "Well then put on this and get on" she was instructed " so your eyes will be protected from all that wind, and can actually see the view" and anxiously Amelia put on the goggles and climbed into the back seat of the plane. "Hold on tight!" shouted the pilot. With a great rumble, the engine started and the plane began to glide slowly, gaining momentum. Once it was at a steady pace, it took off and dipped into the sky. The wind was strong, and Amelia felt a rush of anxiety as they were getting higher and higher. Then the plane began to flow, and she felt like a free bird. Being up there, floating, watching the clouds pass by, was extraordinary for her. As she looked down and saw the town below, felt like a dream, a dream that she didn’t want to wake up from.As the wind gushed over her face she felt the ecstasy of being up high, the pressure of gravity pulling her down, the thought of being in the sky, flying. She felt the adrenaline flow in her veins through her blood. The rush of flying, of having the illusion of touching the sky, made her feel incredible. As they began to descend, Amelia knew what to do next."Hon, is there something wrong?" asked Amelia’s mother over the dinner table. "You’re awfully quiet. Are you ok? Is everything ok? "Her mother kept pushing. "Mom, I’m ok" she replied quietly. "but I have something to tell you" Amelia quickly implied. "Mom, Dad, Sis, today something amazing happened to me, something indescribable." She paused and widened her smile, "I have decided to become an aviatrix." And as she said her last words, Amelia Earhart was born.Her words made history.Years later she became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic. Later the first woman to fly solo at a time when only one other person, Charles Lindbergh, had done so. She performed many aviations first, many where first women's. All possible by her determination, heart, and guts to accomplish whatever her heart and soul set off for. She accomplished far more than she could ever imagine. She set out her dreams and let them fly free. She was a woman with great ambition whom no one could stop from succeding. She wrote books, loved to explore, and brake even more records. Her simpleness and courage made her the best in what she loved. As she turned 40 she had a last flight in her, and she knew the dangers of trying to accomplish such thing. "I know that if I am loist you will be blamed for allowing me to leave this trip; the backers of the flight will be blamed and everyone connected with it. But it's my responsability and mine alone" wrotte Amelia Earhart to her husband, George Puttman. It was a simple sentence, she was a simple girl, but it was all she needed to take her higher than the sky. It was then that Amelia would break all limits and fly beyond, until she lost herself in that beautiful sky and became part of the clouds. Her dreams soon to be swolloed by the deep blue sea. "....If Amelia is dead it is the way she would have chosen" George responded by the shocking news of her dissapereance, knowing that his beloved wife kept flying beyond the sky.COURAGECourage is the price that life exacts for granting peace,The soul that know nbot, knows no realeaseFrom little things;Knows not the livid loneliness of fear,Nor mountain heights where bitter joy can hearThe sound of wings.How can life grant us boon of living, compensateFor dull grey ugliness and pregnant hateUnless we dareThe soul's dominion? Each time we make a choice, we payWith courage to behold restless day,And count it fair.-Amelia Earhart, 1927. "Courage" appearead inMarion Perkin's "Who Is Amelia Earhart?"Survey magazine, July 1, 1928, pg. 60WorkscitedLovell , Mary S.. The sound of wings. New York: Vermillion, 1989.Szabo, Corinne. Sky Pionner. DC. Washington: National Geographic Society , 1997.Blackman, Cally. 20th Century Fashion . 1920's 1930's. Milakawee, Wisconsin: A World of Education Group Company, 1999.