ELISHA

Wow, it's been 10 years since Elisha died.  She was in her early 30's at the time.  Above is a picture of her working at an airshow August 2001.  I was just a few feet away from her when this picture was taken.  Everyone who knew her was devastated when she passed away after a motorcycle accident one month later.

Even though she is gone, I think her life lessons and adventures are valuable to us.  While I can't speak for her, I believe she would think Wise Women is a great idea.  If she were here today, I already would have asked her to be one of our Wise Women speakers.

Elisha was a flight operations dispatch director in the field of aviation which was dominated by men.  Her dream, though, was to be a pilot.  I remember her excitement when she would take flying lessons and then how thrilled she was when she got to fly airplanes for the news and traffic in the mornings.

Not everything in her life was the way she wanted.  In 2001 she was making big decisions and changes.  She chose to let go of her flight operations dispatch director job so she could concentrate on flying more.  In aviation, you need to build up flight hours in your log book.  She was on her way.  She wanted to help women in aviation and below is a picture of the day she helped launch the first Women In Aviation Chapter in Cincinnati.

                                                        March 2001

In the month before the September 2001 fatal accident, I helped Elisha find an apartment.  She chose a wonderful apartment on Floral Avenue in Norwood.  When we toured it she was impressed by the building structure and history, calling it an older lady she could identify with.  That day is very vivid in my mind.  Elisha asked me if she could overcome the mistakes she felt she had made in her life...dreams she'd waited a little too long to pursue...people she'd hurt....  I told her she already was overcoming those things.  And she was.  She was brave and she tackled tough issues.  She was focused on personal course correction and she was following her dreams.  She loved her friends and she'd be there for you when you needed her.

I think she would tell 7th and 8th graders to pursue your dreams right away in life, don't wait.  Believe that you can accomplish what you desire and do not choose other things instead of your dreams.  Time passes too quickly and sometimes life is short.

This is a song Elisha loved that year & it really summed up her changes.  Last week a mutual friend, Jo (another amazing young woman by the way who has gone off to the East Coast and is doing great things in aviation), posted these words and song on facebook:

Elisha, this one's for you. I have never been able to hear this song without thinking of you and knowing that you were truly creating the path to your own happiness. I hope heaven has enough wide open spaces for you!Enjoy, Jo

Song: Wide Open Spaces By the Dixie Chicks

Click above to enjoy the song.  And remember, don't wait.  Pursue your dreams.

Thanks for reading about Elisha,

GSE