By Bonnie McMillen
Fond memories of our time together dance and break into my present day. The drone of a small plane, the excitement of a landing, the rush of air as it hits the grass. I know you remember those summers of freedom, beauty, and wonder. Exotic planes, as from another world, taxi into and out of the hangar. The magic moments of heat, blue sky, air rushing, pushing my tiny body over in the tall grass at the edge of the strip. Now, many years have passed and you are no more. The airport is now a university. By some small miracle the huge hangar remains. Instead of highly polished and colorful planes, college students and staff taxi in and out of the hangar. The blue sky, heat, and freedom of movement remains.
Bonnie McMillen is a native of Bradford and spent her younger years playing around the Harri Emery airport on Dorothy Lane. While working as Director of Student Health at Pitt-Bradford, she became interested in writing poetry and short stories. This interest has continued into a busy retirement. Abecedarian, McKean County 1955, Tales from the Female Crypt