'Borne' again at 90
Deur Tarryn-Leigh Solomons@Tarryns07 15 Januarie 2020 06:01
Michele Stodel, baby Jamie Lewenson, Robbie Lewenson,Philip Stodel, Dr Hymie Ehrlich and Edwin Ehrlich.PHOTO: TARRYN-LEIGH SOLOMONS
Age is nothing but a number.
And Dr Hymie Ehrlich is proof of this as he spent his 90th birthday on Monday 13 January paragliding.
Ehrlich, a former resident of Goodwood, says the offer came as a surprise to him.
This was his third paragliding experience, which he says just gets better.
"I never expected to be paragliding for my 90th birthday, but it was and always is a wonderful experience. Fly Cape Town Paragliding decided to gift me with the experience which I am especially grateful for.
"The flight was scheduled for 11:00, but we had to wait a bit more than an hour, until after noon as the wind had to pick up before we could take off.
"The first time I went up was at the age of 86. And it just keeps getting better. I enjoy the freedom it offers and the fresh air," says Ehrlich.
"The views of the buildings are beautiful, but it was the movement of cars and people walking which was more interesting for me."
The flight, which takes off on Signal Hill, took about seven to 15 minutes.
Ehrlich's family awaited him at the landing ground in Sea Point.
He says the paraglidng instructor, Stephan Kruger, asked if he should do a trick in the air, but Ehrlich declined the offer saying, "No, thank you. I'm fine."
He says the remainder of his birthday was spent with family.
Ehrlich currently resides in Sea Point, but runs a practice in Bellville.
"I've been practicing in Bellville for 10 years, after being in Goodwood for 54 years. The best advice I can give to people is don't stop working if you can contribute to making a difference in someone's life."
Ehrlich, who was married for 60 years, has two children, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
"On days like today, family is important and I'm happy mine chose to spend it with me. I miss my wife Annette so much, but she passed on five years ago. I'm sure she would've been proud of the experiences I've been doing of late."
Stephan Kruger says Ehrlich is the oldest person to have paraglided with them.
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