Chasing a Sunset

By Jerry Mack Grubbs

Stepping out of the building where I had attended a New Testament class with the young adults of my church, I looked to the West and saw what was the making of a beautiful sunset. Without any mental bantering of what was the best way to spend the next few minutes of my life, I hurried to my car and headed for the airport.

Opening the hangar door, I shoved my plane into the open air and without so much as a preflight inspection I fired up the engine and headed toward the West, the setting sun. I climbed with all the power my plane could produce until I reached 18,000 feet and chased the setting sun. Gradually the disappearing ball of fire outran me so I winged over and headed for home, descending back through that same air space I had just traveled.

I was flying out over the Great Salt Lake. The air was calm and I was alone with my music, my thoughts and the drum of the aircraft engine. My favorite country western artist was singing her lyrics in my headset but she was not the person I shared that sunset with. I often ask my daughter whom she sees in her sunsets. At first she was puzzled by the question but then she understood.

Whether a beautiful sunset or some other event or activity stirs your emotions, reach for it and share it with your special someone even if that someone is beside you only in your mind.