What would you do/say?

[l8rpixi]

Ok, I'm just curious, for all those fans out there who haven't been able to meet/talk with Richard Bach:

What would you do if you were to meet him face to face, and able sit down and have a conversation with him? Are there any questions you would ask?

I've been pondering this question since I found this site.
A few years ago, I would have asked about his relationship with Leslie. I'm glad I didn't meet him then. I'm sure he's as tired of talking about that as any divorced man. And there are so many, more important things to talk about.

I think I would ask him if he had time and would like to go have coffee (or whatever drink of choice). Assuming he said yes (I'm dreaming here), I'd sit down and first of all thank him for writing, then discuss the meaning behind the universe, phillosophies and ...well, enjoy the company of a human being who has a brain and not only uses it, but prompts me to use mine as well. And I'd ask if we could be frineds.

I really wouldn't need Richard Bach for all that, if I knew of any people who enjoyed phillosophy, or thinking for that matter. Most of the people I know are caught up in the day to day grind to pull their heads out of the sand. My mind is hungry for stimulation. I'm sorry I've rambled on so...

What would YOU do?

[Bluebird]

I think I'd like to understand him better. What he writes is not always in unison with what his children (I assume the persons behind the nicks are true) post on this forum. No offense meant either way, but sometimes it's all a bit controversial and I'd like to hear his own view. Of course I do not refer to personal matters, but more to how he thinks / feels about dealing with people, himself and life.

I'd also just like to have a normal chat with him, without feeling obligated to ask the Great Questions.

I'd like to ask him what he thinks he would've become if he never had grabbed the opportunity to become a pilot, since his philosophy of life is so much in contact with flying, freedom and a need to escape all unpleasant things that happen to him.

And I'd like to ask him how his ferrets are doing.

[Dwayne]

Interesting question & commentaries, Pixi & Bluebird.

If he values it after reading, would ask him if he may be willing to honor
my work by writing a short preface to my book which is in the process
of being published, as he remains one of my favorite writers.

Next, would ask him if he may take me flying, as this artist has not
flown conventionally for almost 20 years with the exception of frequent
virtual piloting using PC flight simulators for just as long a time.

Lastly, & most important to me (&, am daring to say, to them), would ask
him if he & his wife have been sensing any judicious internal urgings towards
leaving their secluded island paradise to move to relatively safer higher ground.
Am suspecting that they have been sensing such a future move.

~Dwayne~





Edit- date correction

[JTWolf]

Hello all......as to what I would ask him......I'd ask him if he'd like to go for a hike up Williams Canyon and at the spot overlooking the waterfalls, I'd tell him thank you for writing. Thank you for clarifying and confirming what was in my own mind. And then, I'd ask him, "How's life?" and take it from there. I don't know why the hiking thing; maybe because for me, getting out in the "wilderness" and escaping for the moment the continous noise and hubbub of everyday living in civilization enables Spirit (insert your personal preferance for name here.) to enter and clear out the "rubbish" that living in this civilization causes. Allowing Truth to make its way to the surface of the bubbling cauldrons that is most of what our minds are these days. Much the same, I assume, that flying probably does. I drove truck, long-haul, for 15 years across this United States and many times that would do the same. Boy, the problems I've worked out as the miles passed under my wheels! I don't know, I just think that it would be interesting and a priveledge to have a conversation in whatever direction that Spirit willed with the man that wrote such heart-warming and soul-inspiring words. And I'd also like to say "Thank you", for writing such words. Regardless of how actual life and living that life really is.

[HighFlightPilot]

Interesting question. About 10 years ago, I had the opportunity to answer that question for myself.

I had read and loved Richard's books since JLS was published. I always wondered what I would do/say if I ever met him on the ramp at some airport.

And then... through an extremely improbable series of events, I did meet him. Several times, as a matter of fact. The first time I met him I tried not to be too much of an idiotic star-struck fan, and I like to believe that largely succeeded. I don't remember much about what we talked about, but I do remember that it was very wide-ranging, covering a multitude of subjects.

I had the opportunity to visit his home north of Seattle. I was extremely impressed with his library; again, the books covered many subjects.

Oh yes, I met Leslie as well. She was a lovely person -- gracious and very kind.

This-and-that happened, and it came about that I got to fly with him in Daisy, his Cessna Skymaster. Me, one of Richard Bach's fans, went flying with him (I still have a hard time believing it!). We flew on a day that was made for flying -- puffy clouds with wide valleys. If we were not strictly VFR at all times, so what.

When we took off I murmured the words from RFS: "Go, Daisy, Go!" I heard an soft echo from Richard. In my mind ran the opening line from High Flight: "Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings." Surely we left the planet and were in a completely different realm.

He let me fly Daisy. My oh my.

After 30 minutes or so (don't know actually how long), we headed back to the airport. He was the consumate pilot, asking me to look out the window to verify gear down. He was heading home directly after dropping me off, so he didn't shut down the engines.

I struggled to find the words to convey my thanks for not only the flight, but for everything he had ever done for me via his writing. Words failed me. I looked at him and he at me, then he said this:

"It's where we belong, Ray."

And that was enough.

He took off, went through the pattern and then made high-speed pass perhaps 50 feet off the deck. Of course I waved, even though I knew he was probably concentrating on flying. And off he went.

I didn't see Richard until years later. Ran into him at the EAA Arlington Fly-In -- nothing by chance -- standing next to a Fleet bi-plane. Didn't say too much to him; I respect his need for privacy.

And I did see him at a lecture he gave. Funny, but all the times I saw him I neglected to get my books autographed! So, I thought I'd catch up. Here's the picture as well as his inscription:

www.highflightproductions.com/Nothing By Chance_1.jpg[/img]

[Edina]

First of all, WELCOME!

Thank you for registering and sharing your memories of Richard here. Flying Daisy must have been an awesome experience.

[Grave]

I'd say hello:

Then I 'd ask

You said in your book:- "You can teach the best what you want to learn the most- What the best you can teach me today?"

Grave

[Grave]

HighFlyPilot: Its Great, Thanks for sharing this.