patience!!

my mom and dad visited soon after i got my cert. it was a hot summer afternoon
and i was desperate to show off my new skills. i knew she had fear of heights
and was hesitant, but i forced her into it. as we were taxiing she was almost
crying, forced me to shut down - and headed back to the FBO.

good thing too - as my dad and i were cruising over denver we were getting mod.
turb, and 3-400 ft up/down drafts. my dad was calmer than i was.

the conditions were so back we aborted our landing at centenniel, headed back
to FNL, and the the rollout a gust of wind almost swerved me off the runway on
rollout.

my mom was sitting happily in the FBO watching the weather channel drinking
coffee.

lesson learned, and thinking back, i'd probably be more than nervous too -
especially being stuck in the back seat

fast forward to a few years and lots of hours later:

when my mom visited last fall she finally agreed to go up with me - and we took
an afternoon trip up to wyoming in a more spacious 182. i informed her of all
flight characteristics - cutting back the engine, banks, etc. she had a great
time for a first time pax, followed and tracked are time with the GPS, and the
only time she clenched the seats were during our turn to base - and even said
"looks like we're too far right" as i overshot slightly.

learn from my mistake - and don't push anyone