I've been on SSF since August 2003. I've met some great people,and made a few friends along the way. We may not always see eye-to-eye on things, but that's part of life.
One of those great people, and one I consider a friend is JimP. I flew for him for several month, and enjoyed my time in SkySimDirect.
Back on the 1st, I received a message on here from his acct. I say "his acct" due to the fact that it was someone other than him. They wrote to inform me that Jim passed back on 14 May, 2015. Needless to say, I'm still a bit shocked. I'd been gone for 10 months (ex's fault), had just come back at the end of April and was hoping to get back into SSD and fly for Jim again.
Sadly, that won't happen now that he's actually grown wings of his own.
In closing, I leave you with this.....High Flight, by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. I think it's a fitting tribute.
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, --and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of --Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air...
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew --
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
One day, we'll fly together again, Jim.....