Editor’s note: Thomas May of Auburn and Brunswick won an opportunity for him and a guest (his mother, Ann May) to take a balloon ride as part of the Sun Journal’s Great Falls Balloon Festival coverage. He is legally blind. This is his story.

4:30. I woke to the blaring sound of my alarm clock.

Why so early? It is the best time to launch a hot-air balloon and soar into the sky.

I was dressed and ready to go in no time, and I waited anxiously for my Mom and her friend Reggie as they prepared to leave. I looked at my watch. We were scheduled to meet the Sun Journal photographer at 5:45 a.m., and it was already 5:15 a.m. My Mom did not appear worried though. She cheerfully bounced around the room prepared to go. This was her big day and she was not going to let anything bother her.

Many people swarmed Auburn’s Festival Plaza, some scurrying to find their balloons, others setting up chairs as the darkness gave way to early-morning light.

Brilliant colors rose from the water-saturated grass as the pilots of some of the balloons prepared for takeoff. I began to understand why my Mom dreamed of soaring through the sky as I gazed at the balloons lifting off the ground, gracefully dotting the luminescent sky as the light of the sun slowly crept from the horizon.

The “Last Penny,” balloon No. 5, lay on the ground before us, and we met pilot Bill Colyer and his two-man crew readying for takeoff. Bill gave instructions for loading the balloon and soon we were ready for takeoff.

Mom’s face lit up with anxiety and excitement as Bill fired the propane and the basket where we stood began to rise from the ground.

I am not too crazy about heights, except when I hike, and yet a calm spread through my body. Any of the anxiety that had plagued me earlier was washed away. I knew we were in Bill’s capable hands.

He related some of the adventures he’d been on, mostly through the beauty of our balloon and those around us as they silently slid along. The warm, slight breeze brushed my face, the rolling hills in the distance and the joyful expression on my Mom’s face soothed my mind.

I did not see the people waving as we went by, and many of the beautiful landscaping that my Mom pointed out escaped my vision. The scenery, patches of trees and distant hills appeased my senses. The mouth-watering smell of bread filled the air as we passed the Lepage bakery.

High in the sky I gained a different perspective of the Earth. Any troubles that I face seemed to stay on the ground. Those troubles did not matter up here, right now.

Landing safely was really the only concern I might have had, but this was the pilot’s worry. I was not really concerned about this; I was enjoying the peaceful ride.

The balloon moved silently, except when Bill fired up the flames to send the balloon up. Behind us I saw a parade of balloons floating gracefully, dotting the sky. This is truly a grand sight, what the air show is all about, as brilliant-colored balloons filled the sky.

Now I truly understood why my Mom dreamed of flying in a balloon.

Bill began giving instructions for landing. Wow, the ride was over already; time and balloons fly when you are having fun. We might have to graze the trees to slow down. Hang on with both hands. When you feel the impact of the ground bend your knees. We might tip over, but stay calm and do not move until instructed to do so.

The balloon passed through some trees, brushed them, then came upon a grass clearing in a residential backyard. Bill dropped a rope to a person on the ground. The basket hit the ground once, twice, then settled for a perfect upright landing. We gave a cheer.

Bill unloaded the balloon’s basket of people, one by one. Soon we were piling the equipment up into the van, rolling the balloon neatly and stuffing it into its holder. We loaded the van, packed with people and the balloon, and started back to the festival grounds.

On the ride home the car was quiet. The conditions for the ride had been perfect. What an awesome start to the day.

Today, Mom had her dream fulfilled, her ride in a hot-air balloon. We arrived home and, when we got out of the car, I thanked her for the ride and gave her a hug.

No, thank you, she said to me. She had at last gotten the ride she deserved — a ride in a hot-air balloon.