The Dream
Bob Atkinson, resident of Chatfield in West Hartford, Conn., won his lifelong goal with Experiences of a Lifetime. Atkinson wanted to have a ride in a hot air balloon. The Experiences of a Lifetime campaign encourages residents to expand their opportunities of living an Optimum Life by choosing experiences that are directly tied to one or more of the six dimensions of wellness - physical, emotional, purposeful, social, spiritual, and intellectual.
In his winning essay, Atkinson tells how he would attend the Annual Balloon Meet in Bristol, Conn. in his younger days. On several different occasions, he tried to arrange for a flight in a hot air balloon. Sometimes, it was cost-prohibitive, other times, the ride would be full. He was never able to fulfill his dream of riding in a hot air balloon until now.
"I believe this experience will be exhilarating," said Atkinson. "I will feel a great satisfaction from having the opportunity to have a lifelong dream fulfilled."
The Experience
Finally, Atkinson had his dream fulfilled and had the ride of a lifetime. He rode with his stepdaughter while his wife watched from the ground. "Everyone was just wonderful to me, and it was so fun," said Atkinson. "It was incredibly still up there." Atkinson's wife, Peg, said he had a big smile when he went up. She also said that she wishes she had gone with him, but that her daughter, who took her place, really enjoyed the experience.
The Memory
"It was a delightful autumn morning, and Bob got to experience the dawn from 2,000 feet in the air," said Eleanor Frazier, office manager of Chatfield. "It was truly an Experience of a Lifetime!"
"I was so pleased to be part of fulfilling Mr. Atkinson's dream of flying in a hot air balloon," said Jim Regan, chief pilot of CT Ballooning. "He was a pleasure to have aloft with us. The flight will definitely by a high point of our year."
With a big grin, Atkinson said, "I just had a great time."
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