“True courage is like a kite;
a contrary wind raises it higher.”
John Petit-Senn

Today is the 42nd Annual Redondo Beach Kite Festival at the Redondo Beach Pier. It’s a spectacular festival for kite lovers and is also Southern California’s longest running kite festival. As an avid kite connoisseur, I must say the variety of kites are spectacular.

I’ve enjoyed kite flying since I was a little girl and up into my adult life. When my son was born, I had several of my old large kites decorating his bedroom ceiling and walls.

My son’s favorite super hero is Superman. I remember when my son was four years old I bought him a very cool Superman kite. When we would fly this kite, the kite would sway up in the sky just like a flying Superman.

The last time we flew the Superman kite it was a rather windy day in the park and my young son kept wanting me to hand him the kite for him to fly. I reluctantly handed him the kite string holder when a big wind kicked up. My son released the Superman kite and the kite disappeared over some houses near the park. We both ran where we believed the kite had landed, and fortunately were able to get the kite down from a tree. The kite was badly damaged. Later when we got home, I was able to piece the kite back together, but we never flew the kite again. For many years my son saved the Superman kite, but I think he eventually parted with his favorite kite.

If you have young children or grandchildren, you might want to give kite flying a try. And if you’re looking for a cheap and entertaining hobby to share with young children, I say, go fly a kite.

Shine On