Times were when, we took our children everywhere. Swimming lessons, judo, tennis, just mention it.

Little babies grow fast, and before you realize it they don’t want mommy to come with them anymore.

But today will be different. My son is almost an airline pilot and I can fly with him today.

I’m very fond of flying. I love admiring the amazing view on snow white sunbaked clouds, while handsome stewards serve tasteful meals and fresh coffee.

With great expectations, I climb into the little plane, my heart filling with pride when my son takes the pilot’s seat.

Because this is one of the last training flights before his check, the flying instructor sits next to him.

A strong wind’s blowing and taxiing to the runway the airplane shakes like crazy.

“Let’s start with an obstacle take-off ,” the instructor says, “and then we...”

Huh?

The sudden knowledge strikes me like the proverbial hammer blow: this won’t be a nice pleasure flight!

My son gets take off clearance.

With loudly roaring engines the Baron eagerly scoots off, shooting into the air on his tail to avoid an imaginary blue heron on the runway.

Seconds later the fire alarm starts hooting, and with only one working engine we continue our flight on one side.

Next, we take a header to the ground, and when the wheels touch the black asphalt of the runway I heave a big relieved sigh.

We’re back! Safe and sound...

Nope. The almost-landing was meant as a touch-and-go exercise.

One moment, I can see the runway, and the next we’re thundering over a skyscraper.

Good grief! This is great fun. Right?

My stomach turns, and I try to swallow down the upcoming sickness.

But it's no use, and after the next touch and go I help myself to the little paper vomiting bag from the chair in front of me.

As my pilot son looks around, he sees his poor mommy sitting in her chair, sick and green.

“Will one bag do the trick?” he asks with a naughty grin.

But a second after that, I hear him requesting permission to land, and a few minutes later the wheels of the plane touch the ground in a perfect way.

Good grief. This was completely different from the Mother-and-Child Swimming course!

Greetings from The Netherlands!

    :-) Anita Verkerk.