2 inch Sotich Shield, confetti tissue.
Here’s another kite from the tissue with the stars.
I wish that I had a better kite to mark the day with, as I’ve learned of the death of a great kiteflier and friend that I was looking forward to getting to know better.
I’ve been involved in kite making and kite flying since the late 80’s, but it is relatively rare that I’ve been close to kiters outside of my local area. At the same time, there are names of kite makers and kite flyers that I’ve heard from the mouths of those of my friends that were fortunate enough to get off of the edge of the world on occasion.
A couple of years ago I was honored to accept the invitation to substitute for Sandy Gibian as Field Director at the Southern Oregon Kite Festival (this event is in Oregon, but only just barely), which I hadn’t even been able to attend for something like ten years.
There I was able to not only meet , but work with many great kiters, including Ron Despojado. Ron was a talented and hardworking flyer, just enough of a showman to help round out our show, and a real gentleman. I’m still waiting to learn the details of his demise, but the most important detail is that there is now another hole to fill in my sky (the metaphor fits whether you are watching kites or stars). I will miss the man I knew, and mourn the opportunity to know him even better.
Learning of this loss in the same week that I’m processing the first anniversary of losing one the boys from my Scout Troop is weighing on me, but now it’s time to get ready for the rest of my day. With one more start fallen.