Waxahachie Journal

By Kathryn E. Eriksen

I will never see hot air balloons the same again.  I had read and written about the Summer Balloon Classic, the wonderful events that were planned and the static displays of airplanes.  But anticipating something and actually experiencing it are two entirely different things.

The hot air balloons stole the show!

Even though I had read the statistics (hot air balloons can be as tall as a 10 story building) and I knew propane jets powered them, actually witnessing a balloon inflate from a limp piece of material to its full size took my breath away. 

The propane flame is much louder than I expected.  The flame itself shot into the air with an intensity that was mesmerizing.  As the hot air began to fill the nylon fabric, something new was born.  The rip-stop nylon began to take on its own life, and as it rose from the ground, the wondrous colors of the design slowly unfolded.  After the balloon stood tall and proud above the rattan basket, the only things holding it down were two or three people hanging onto the guide ropes.

And then it was time to set it free.

The balloon did not hesitate.  As soon as the tethers were loose, it shot up into the air and gently floated on the breeze.  The pilot waved and then looked out to the distant horizon, guiding the balloon on its journey.  It was peaceful to watch the colorful balloon float higher and farther away.

I watched this same process over and over again Saturday evening.  Each time it was the same - a limp piece of nylon turned into a majestic object filled with dreams and adventure.  It finally occurred to me why I was so fascinated with these balloons.

When we are born, we are just like that limp material – the potential is there for something great but it has not ignited.  When we find our life’s purpose, the flame from our passion heats up the material of our life, just like the propane jet heats the air inside the balloon envelope.  A wondrous transformation occurs and our life expands, just like the balloon rising above the ground.  We break free of our self-imposed limitations and worries.  Our life expands in scope and we float above the turmoil and anger that kept us grounded.  And when turbulent air buffets us, we flow with it until we are once again surrounded by peace, moving with the invisible breeze.  And we when we float back to the ground, our perspective has changed, because we have become one with something greater than ourselves.