Kite Flying with Iñigo

Go, Fly a Kite!

Kites and Kite Flying make summer vacation extra fun and special for me. Same with my younger brothers JR, Miko, Paolo, and our little sister Amari. When the month of April strikes, Dad always find time to be with us,  most especially when we start making and designing our kites from scratch.
Our Summer would not be complete without Kite Flying, because aside from going to the beach and playing Frisbee, Kite Flying has become a constant summer activity for us. Actually, some sort of summertime bonding activity for our family. Even my mom join and help us in designing our kites.
We usually make kites out of readily available materials, such as unused or recycled plastic bags, sometimes old newspapers, a strong type of thread, string or nylon, plus either a used water bottle or stick, where we wind the kite string. Yeah, you do not have to spend too much just to have a nice kite, it only takes resourcefulness and creativity.

Kite Flying, is a significant symbol of childhood fun moments for me. It is also and a past time that I truly enjoy, even now that I am a grown up. Lately, I have decided that it is time I share the same joy to my son Iñigo.
Actually, he loves watching us fly kites, but he never really had his own kite made before, and he never experienced kite flying. He was still small last summer, but now that he is about to turn 4, I’ve decided to let him create and fly his own kite, but with our help of course.
Before I taught him how to make one, I told him stories about how Kites became significant not only as a fun activity during one’s past time, or a sport that is becoming popular, but also the fact on how kites played an important part in certain scientific discoveries that changed the lives of mankind.
It sort of felt like “this is familiar” some kind of dejavu, it made me reminisce those times when Dad was the one telling me and my siblings those stories. I cannot help but smile and think …”so this is how it’s like to be daddy…”

Kite Flying with Iñigo is something that I know I would always enjoy doing until I get old, just like how my dad is with us. I look forward to that day when it is my son’s turn to share his passion in kite flying to his own kids.
Isn’t it a wonder how simple things like kite flying could become such a big part in a person’s life?

Dad and Son Kite Flying

Kite flying has become so popular not only as a pastime but also as a competitive sport. There are even special events, festivals and competitions that are held just for kites. There are several categories which includes, Best Kite Design,  Best Kite-fighter, Biggest or Smallest Kites, etc. There are kites that are shaped like animals, some are shaped like airplanes, some have musical wind chimes on them. Kite Flying is not just a daytime activity now, because kites are also flown during dusk, most especially those kites that were built with lights like chandeliers in the air. But the most common are the simple diamond shaped kites with balancing tails and colorful side tails.

Kites are uniquely designed to perfection, not only to look good but to perform and fly well. Kite makers like parents, try to as much as possible make their Kite the best of all Kites. To do so, they dedicate all their time, effort, money, etc.

Kites, Kite Flying,  Kids and Parenting

As we all know, just like kites, kids are uniquely designed by God. And though the competition is pretty tough, we parents have to realize that each and every kid is special and unique in their own way. People, mostly parents tend to compare their kids, which often lowers the self esteem of those who consider themselves less than what their parents are expecting them to be. Unlike Kites that we can design and redesign, or just thrash away if it does not meet our expectation,our Kids are built and designed the way they are, and all we can do is try to shape them to be better, through education and discipline. But if they fail, we can’t just throw them away. We have to accept them as they are, together with their flaws, just like how God accept and love us unconditionally.

My Abuelo once told me, kite flying is just like parenting and loving your kids. You make them, you shape them, you educate them,  and try to as much as possible design them to be strong, to be the best, and ready to face the unknown. You do everything to make them not only look good, but also to be good at handling things, balancing life,  fly the strong winds, and face the possible rainfalls or downfall. You hold them and guide them until they learn how to fly. They soar, they plummet, they fall down and get hurt, but all you can do is watch them and encourage them, because there are things and tests in life that they have to go through, in order for them to become stronger. Strong enough to face even harder challenges in life.

Sometimes they fly farther and farther away from you. All you can do is try to keep that tie that binds both of you. Sometimes, you tend to hold them back, simply because  you feel that they are not yet ready. But when you see that they are doing pretty well, you loosen your grip and let them be free to fly away.  And when you see them about to fall, all you can do is try to help them keep the balance to stay afloat even when the wind that keeps them flying seemed to have gone away.

When the wind suddenly changes direction or is too strong, you fear that they might not be able to hold it and break down, but confident that you made them strong and designed to face such challenge, you let them be and watch them dance through the winds and rhythm of life. Because you can only do so much, and give him a strong foundation, and when the time comes, no matter how much you try to hold them back to keep them from flying away, they  will try to break free or sometimes the wind breaks that tie.

Kite Flying has the same concept as Parenting and Love, the only difference is that, Kites are just kites, when they’re gone you can make another and still have the same fun or even more. You can get or make a new one that is even more beautiful or perfect than the previous ones you had. But in life, your kids are your treasure which can never be replaced no matter what, and unlike kites, no matter how far they go, and even if the time will come that you would not see theme anymore, the tie that binds you to them will never be cut or broken. And unlike kites that get completely lost forever,  your family and kids can always choose to go home and be with you anytime they want to.

Beauty and cost do not measure the value or how good a kite or kite flying is… it is  the dedication and passion that you have put into it, and how kite flying makes a person feel that matters more.

When you fly a kite and you are happy, it’s good enough. You don’t have to be known to everyone as the best Kite Flyer in town, or you don’t need to have what others think is the best kite there is in this world. You simply have to believe that you are, and your kite is the best because you made it and you are the one flying it. You can fly a paper airplane and consider yourself the best pilot.

For as long as you don’t cause people any harm, who cares about what other people would think? I don’t!

Everyone would not agree with me if i say my dad is the best dad in this world. To everyone he’s not, for me he is… and I wouldn’t care if I’m not the best dad in this world either, for as long as I am to my son. –

Important Things To Consider When Kite Flying
Before I end this post, I just want to share some Tips on Safe Kite Flying. Although Kite flying seems to be a safe and harmless activity, you can’t just take things for granted. There are things you must consider when Kite flying to make it a safe and fun experience. Make sure you are in an open area, away from all the possible dangers such as electric lines, houses, etc. An open field is the best place to fly Kites. another thing is that, one should always be careful with the strings, because they can cut your fingers, or choke you. And last but not the least, Kids should be accompanied by an adult (as much as possible).

Go fly a kite, either the typical kite, stunt kites, or better yet, get involved in kite sports and go kite surfing / kiteboarding. Enjoy Summer!

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