An 85th birthday is usually celebrated rather quietly, with close friends and family and maybe a cake with a few candles.
Not so for Pretoria grandmother Lilo Vermaak – she literally took her birthday celebration to new heights.
Vermaak was holidaying with her daughter Joy Willers and son-in-law David in Zinkwazi when she mentioned her special wish.
“She would sit outside our house, watch the micro lights fly over and say over and over how she wished she could go up in one. Joy and I took her to Come Fly at Umvoti Plaza and surprised her with a flight,” said David.
David said Vermaak lit up and got kitted out for her flight without missing a beat.
“She was like an eight-year-old girl! She was lucky enough to see a school of graceful dolphins during her flight.”
Pilot David Jenkins said he was delighted at Lilo’s reaction to the flight.
“We have seen several people whose lives have been completely changed in a positive way by only one flight.”
Vermaak was still on her adrenalin high when she left for Pretoria on Thursday.
She has made a promise to be back and do it again next year.
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