Helicopter Words

Today Ryan, 10, brought home a letter addressed to "Mom and Dad". It was a thank you note of sorts. He said he was thankful for his "lovely home" and "vast collection of books". He also made mentioned of the "love of his family". I was both delighted and surprised at his sweet words, because after all, he is a boy. And the son of a snarky mom to boot.

Where did my 5th grader learn to express himself like that I wondered? Oh, duh. My family has always been one to share our feelings with words more than actions.

For Christmas, Ryan asked my parents for an RC helicopter. In any event, Papa Jack and Granny Diane were happy to oblige and the cool helicopter showed up under the tree on the 25th.

Some days later, whilst I was sleeping in at my parents, Ryan and Jack were up early with them. From what I understand, they took the helicopter outside in the Chicago winter wind sometime around 7am.

By the time I stumbled dowstairs, the 4 of them were sitting at the kitchen table somber and silent. I poured my coffee and asked what had happened. It seems that the helicopter flew a bit higher than expected and was currently stuck in a huge tree somewhere past the second story of my parents' house. Ryan was upset, and I think he had been crying. My parents were annoyed. I was stumped because he had made a bad decision to take it out in the wind, but I knew he hadn't done it on purpose.

I said as much. Some hours later apologies were exchanged, but the helicopter remained in the tree, inaccessible by any ladder created by man. At least not one we owned.

A few days later, we boarded a plane back to Atlanta. Sans helicopter. Ryan was legitimately bummed. So were my parents.

January 4 the doorbell rang. UPS delivered a small box.

In the box was Ryan's helicopter, and this letter...

"Dear Ryan,

I was a very happy little helicopter when your Papa Jack and Granny Diane decided to buy me to give to you as a Christmas present. I could hardly wait for you to unwrap me on Christmas morning. I knew we would have a lot of fun together.

The day you took me outside to see how high I could fly, I couldn't help but show off. I wanted to be a really cool toy for you, so I flew highter and higher. What I didn't think about was the strong wind. It just carried me away up into that monster tree.

I tried and tried to get free and I knew you were trying to fly me out, but nothing was working. I saw you looking for me several times over the next few days. When I saw that your Papa was taking you to the airport, I was so sad. I knew the winter would be cold and snowy and then when the spring came, the leaves would cover me up and no one would be able to see me.

On New Year's Eve, I was still hoping that I could get down from that tree. But my hopes were fading.

There was a fierce wind that night, some say up to 50 MPH. I clung to that tree fearing that I would be blown to pieces if I let go. I was also afraid that I would get blown too far from your Papa's and Granny's house and they would never find me.

But then, I ddecided that the wind that had tossed me into that tree was my way out. I finally let go and the wind took me gently to the ground. I couldn't believe it.

Then I knew I would just have to wait a bit. Your Granny was checking on me all the time and I knew she would notice I wasn't in the tree anymore. She found me on New Year's Day and I don't know who was more excited, your Granny, your Papa or me.

Your Papa checked me over, recharged me and gave me new batteries. He flew me in the kitchen and your Granny cheered.

By now, I hope you are holding me in your hands and we can have more fun together. It is going to be a good year for us!

Love,

Your Rescue Helicopter that needed to be rescued"

Ryan stood in the family room and read the letter silently. He cried. I read it, I cried. Then he put the helicopter on the shelf in the armoir. For safekeeping, he said.

So that. That is why I am the parent I am. That is why I express myself in words. That's why song lyrics and books and written language is my love. My parents gave me that love and gift, through nurture and through nature.

Words.