What you guys do is very special and I want to thank you 1 and all for being able, willing and patient for turning dreams into reality.
Take my own case. Finally, got my PPL last month (after 2 years), at the ripe old age of 45. Me, I could have cried with joy. The enthusiasm and congrats from my instructors when I passed made me seem like I was the first person ever to pass - I'm sure you're all like this. Thanks guys and girls.
But the pleasure goes beyond this to the pax's we take up. My dad my first pax. He's 85 years old, and has followed me thru each lesson. His health isn't too great, and we both had this unspoken fear that he might die before I passed.
So, joy of joys, I took him up the other day. He's now 85 years young. He was grinning like a schoolboy. He 'phoned all the relatives and hasn't stopped talking about it since. The whole experience has been like a tonic to him.
And who were there when we landed? My (now) ex-instructors, and yes they shared the joy too in his happiness.
So, thanks again, and remember, although the pays not good, the weather maybe cr@p at times, the students try and kill you, the aeroplanes on the ropey side, you really do make a difference.
C23