I was four the first time I flew in my dreams.
Mary Martin’s Peter Pan inspired me. Mom made sure Patty and I watched the Broadway Production when they showed it on TV, and I remember it in color, even though we had a black and white set. I saw the “V” of the wires behind everyone who flew, but it didn’t matter. They were flying.
So why did Mom get so upset when she came into our room to investigate all the thumping, and caught us climbing up on Kim’s crib, clambering over to the dresser, and jumping off pretending we were Peter and Wendy? Didn’t she realize how mature we had been to deliberately decide not to jump off the top bunk?
“There is an art, it says, or rather, a knack to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
The dreams were inevitable after that. For years, they happened every now and then, never resulting from any particular waking event I could discern. When I flew indoors, I’d take off by jumping off a bed or a toy box — or the dresser — and the ceilings were always 12 feet high. I’d circle round and around a light fixture, usually to keep out of some adult’s reach, and spend the entire time laughing.
When I flew outdoors, I’d run down an incline till the wind picked me up and then I’d fly as far and as fast as I wanted, always with my arms stretched out in front of me and joy in my heart. (A friend once told me she only had to wiggle her toes, and up she’d go!)
Those dreams don’t happen as often as they used to, in fact, I haven’t dreamt of flying in years. Maybe I’m happier on the ground now than I was then. Maybe I have a harder time imagining I could get off the ground. Maybe the joy in my heart has grown so big part of me is always flying anyway. Whatever the reason, my inner child — who is never very far from the surface — keeps waiting for just one more flying dream. Maybe tonight.
How about you? How do you fly in your dreams?
Space, Time, and Raspberries 
I used to dream often of flying. Nowadays, they are rare, but I do still have them. In my dreams, it’s a lot like swimming. I push with my legs and float. I love those dreams! Great post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it seems that they get less frequent as we grow older – great shame! But now I can fly to your blog with just a click.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Curtis! I’ll be happy to have you visit any time you can make the flight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A season ticket is in order, I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In my flying dreams, I don’t focus on how I started flying, as if it were something I always had the ability to do. It seems, one moment I am on the ground, the next, I am in the air, soaring through the clouds. Unstoppable. I love those dreams…
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are freeing, aren’t they? I’m glad you visited! You’re welcome any time!
LikeLike
Hi Sue see I am here visiting your lovely Blog soon than you think! This is a great place and I will sure come back and dig more. This post is so cute you remind me that I used to fly in my dreams a lot when I was a kid I still remember that feeling because it was so intense like reality a funny thing is that I was able to fly indoor and outdoor ;-D lol which it was awesome! Stay connected ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting! I wonder if everybody used to have flying dreams. I’m glad my little post jogged your memory. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! I wonder that too 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t dream of flying very often, but I seek out the sensation of flying. I’ve always loved the sensation of being airborne while riding a bike down a steep hill, or sailing, or jumping off a high dive. Someday I think it would be fun to go paragliding and “fly” for more than a few seconds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An indoor skydiving place recently opened nearby, and I’m tempted to try it just for the sensation you’re talking about. Apparently, you leap into a powerful column of air that simulates the air you plummet through when you jump out of a plane. Not sure how they arrange a soft landing, but it lasts several minutes, and is supposed to be much safer than skydiving outdoors.
LikeLike
Oh, my-how could I not check out a blog called Space, Time & Rasberries? Well done, that. 🙂 I’ve always loved flying dreams best. The freedom that we never experience in real life. And there is such a difference between soaring and hurtling out of control with no way to stop (had those, too). Off to bed now, here’s hoping there is flying (and not hurtling). Thanks for the inspiration!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad I caught your attention. Thanks for checking it out! I’ve read all of your A to Z posts and I’m looking forward to the rest of the alphabet. Is there a way to follow your blog to receive notifications? I saw the “follow on G+”; is that the mechanism?
LikeLike
Just a couple of weeks ago I dreamt I was flying. I woke up soooooo happy. Hadn’t had that dream in a very long time. In my younger years I flew quite regularly. Puts a big smile on my face.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It gives me hope that there’s still a chance that dream’s out there somewhere! Lucky you! Thanks for reading — thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
I haven’t had a flying dream in years either, but like you, I remember them vividly. I never flew in the house, always outside. I had an out of body experience where I floated up from my bed and through the roof. I could see myself sleeping. Once above the house, I was flying. Great feeling!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think people who fly in their dreams must have extraordinary imaginations. How else would we have any idea what flying feels like? Did it seem peculiar to you that you could pass right through the roof? Even in my dreams I knew it wasn’t normal to fly.
LikeLike