From that time on, I knew I wanted to be a pilot. Uncle Bill was on cloud nine. When you live in a nursing home, you don't have many days like that. Okla. Max had collided with another plane shortly after takeoff. When he found out, I'm sure Uncle Bill's thoughts were bouncing between that day 40 years ago when he gave little Max his first plane ride to when they shook hands at the Centerville airport.
Life is fragile.
Don't take it for granted.