AIRPLANE SHADOW

 

When I was about 11 years old my family moved to the City Point section of Southie or as our West Fifth St. neighbors put it—You are moving to the “Lace Curtain” section of town. For me it was the best of all possible moves. As a sun worshipper I had easy access to the beaches. The M St. beach was my second home. Bicycling was another passion. I could bicycle all the way to Castle Island and back. I even made it out to Franklin Park once.

When I reached my Teens I got various jobs and couldn’t spend as much time doing those things. But my back yard provided me the opportunity to sun bathe in relative privacy so I still got my sunning in. The only thing that bugged me was the drone of the planes when their flight patterns took them directly overhead. It interrupted any conversations you might be having, Once when I was out back a plane cast a shadow directly on me. I saw the distinctive outlne of its wings and engines. It happened so fast I almost missed it. I thought wow that was a once in a lifetime event.

Last week I was enjoying the sun on the deck of my home located some 40 miles north of Boston. You see I still love the sun. The funny part is the planes fly overhead in the same flight pattern as when I lived in Southie. The drone is still annoying. The only difference is the planes are at a much higher altitude. But would you believe the shadow of one of them passed directly on me and again in a flash I made out the outline of the wings and motors. I thought wow that was a twice in a lifetime event.