A bunch of us were discussing the TV show, “Heroes” the other day, and this question was raised:

“If you could have one super power, what would you choose?”

The responses ranged from the predictable “Invisibility” and “Mind Reading” to the more specific “Putting my Mother-In-Law in Suspended Animation” and “Mentally Sticking Voodoo Pins in My Boss”. For me, it was a no-brainer. To quote that great Rock and Roll Philosopher, Steve Miller, I want to “Fly Like an Eagle”!

For as long as I can remember, the sight of a raptor in the sky has caused me to stop whatever I’m doing and just watch. There’s something about the stillness and the way they ride the drafts. The word “soar” was invented to describe their flight. Even while driving, I have to fight the urge to pull over and indulge my fascination. How I envy every hawk, owl, vulture and falcon.

There was a PBS special recently (yes, it WAS a long writers’ strike) where they attached a “Critter Cam” to a red tail, and watched as he climbed, coasted and then plummeted to the earth at jet-plane speed, pulling up at the last second, grabbing a tasty mouse in his talons. It’s as close as we’ll come, I think, to experiencing what they see and do. All this was supposed to aid aviation engineers in designing better wings, but it just made me hungrier to feel the wind under me and ride the breeze.

I can’t quite put my finger on what the attraction is. I think it’s the gracefulness. It gives me hope. After all, even an ornery old buzzard is a thing of beauty in flight.

Sounds like the perfect super power for me!