I took these photos from a hot air balloon over Albuquerque, New Mexico during the Phi Theta Kappa Honor’s Institute in June 2015.

The hot air balloon motif represents something important about me - it is all about me rising from a very difficult period of my life (not even COVID-related) and soaring above my current professional situation - in case you were wondering.

But I’ve just realized it’s more. It’s also about doing something scary, and then having it change your life.

I remember Ashley texting me about the possibility of going up in a hot air balloon… I was pretty scared, but really wanted to do it. As I remember it, she then asked the regional officers (RIP Tammie and Daniel) if they were interested and everybody was, so we did it.

It would be irrational not to be frightened of a hot air balloon ride, but it turned out to be the most amazing experience, aside from the landing; it was so smooth and we could see for miles around. Afterward (eh hem, if you know you know, but after that), it completely changed my view of the world in ways I can’t even really describe. I still think about it a lot and long to go back up (I mean, Oxford is gorgeous from the air… can you imagine how cool that would be?)

So… the hot air balloon has come to symbolize for me the process of facing my fears and (quite literally) rising above them to soar to unexpected heights and places. Hokey? Maybe, but I could have gone with the mousetrap… again, if you know, you know.

Caryl

PS More photos to follow from that trip.

PPS It was transformative for Tammie as well. In the lighter atmosphere, she found she could breathe. I've never forgotten that.

Finally, I’m not posting photos of the people because that’s rude, but I love them and, well, miss the ones who are no longer with us.