Where do I begin? After a ten day delay, yesterday I finally made the big jump, faced my fear and took the leap. For the first time in my life I went skydiving. I am not sure how one describes the experience as some of the expletives I might like to use are not appropriate to put in this column. Suffice it to say that the two young ladies who dove before us simply said, “Freaking Awesome”. And that is a great summary!
Getting here has been an eighteen month journey which began at Beyond Courage, a five-day retreat in November 2008. As part of the program, we were learning how to pack a parachute. I actually thought I was going to be using it but it turned out to be simply a team exercise. The seed however, was planted, my 60th birthday the occasion.
Jim and I arrived at the airport about two hours before our flight allowing us to see other skydivers come in and land. It looked easy and effortless. It was also incredibly beautiful, to look into the sky and see that speck of black high above separate from the plane, breaking free like a baby being birthed among the clouds. Moments later the multicolored chute opens, wings are sprouted in that instant, the pace slows. The skydiver dances through air, painting designs in the sky. The landing, the part I most feared ismanaged by the tandem master, and looks like sliding into first base. The entire experience looked magnificent!
Jim and I were called over to the prep area. We were given a few minutes of basic instruction. “You will crawl on your knees to the door. Sit and put your feet on the step just outside the plane. Your tandem master will be behind you, firmly attached and then 1-2-3 jump! Sounds easy, non?” Maurice asked in his French accent. “Once you jump, ” he added, “you make like a babana. Press your head back into my shoulder and tuck your legs backward between mine. That will give me more control and trust me, you want me to be in control!”
He was full of humour and fun, gently teasing and reassuring us as he ‘geared us up’. The gear: a blue and orange jump suit; next a heavy leather harness which when tightened fully felt like a chastity belt and a very tight ‘lift-up’ bra combined. I can’t say what it did for Jim’s ‘family jewels’. The helmet was the most charming part of the equipment, Red Baron like in style, with large plastic goggles. Thumbs up and we were ready to go.
- Thumbs Up!
In addition to the pilot and co-pilot, we were seven in all. My tandem master Dennis (who thankfully was tall and strong as I had dreamt the night before that my tandem partner was a midget!), Jim and his partner, Maurice, and two camera men to record the event. One additional jumper joined us just for the ride. The belly of the plane is small and very crowded; everyone literally packed in like sardines, the person in front between the back person’s legs. Once everyone has boarded, there is no changing your mind. As the plane taxied down the runway and then took off, I still felt remarkably calm, as if this was an everyday occurrence.
The fields below fell away. Beyond the hills of Gatineau Park appeared. In the far distance I could see Ottawa on the skyline. The sky was dotted with late afternoon clouds, wispy and billowy and I knew I would soon be among them. Suddenly the door opened and our tandem masters yelled, helmets on! The first diver jumped, gone, so fast. There was no time to think and before I knew it we were moving toward the back of the plane.
Just before taking off Dennis had asked me if I wanted to experience a back flip rather than jumping front first. I said sure. What did I know! I was later thankful for this as Jim described facing forward and looking into the abyss as one of his most breath taking moments.
Jim and his partner were out the door and before I knew it I was facing the inside of the plane, at the doorway, placing my feet on the step, Dennis behind me. I heard him yell 1-2-3 and before I realized what was happening we rolled backwards, doing back flips in the sky like a gymnast with wings. OMG! The air rushed by me, assaulting me at first while I caught my breath. I could feel the wind pushing at my face, teasing my lips upward. Someone had told me this was the ultimate facelift and I was thinking they were right.
Once we stopped flipping I felt absolute joy as I looked around me and I shouted to the wind, “I am FLYING!” The downward rush came to a sudden halt when the chute opened and I feel a sudden upward thrust, as if the hand of God has just reached down and caught me. The air rushing by my ears stopped. It grew very quiet. We glided through the sky, circling Maurice and Jim, then approached them allowing the two chutes to ‘kiss’.
Dennis passed me the controls and told me to direct the chute. I hesitated but he insisted and I turned us to the left, then to the right. He re-assumed control as we circled the landing area, performed a few large circles giving us a 360 degree view of the landscape.
The ground approached quickly. Dennis brought us in for a smooth effortless landing and before I knew it I was sitting on the grass and it was over. The entire flight from 13, 000 feet downward took only a few minutes.
As I rose from the grass I felt barely a quiver in my knees. I was still calm and I noticed at no point in the entire experience had I been in the grip of fear. I felt awe, and wonder, and freedom and bliss, and yes, just a wee bit of pride that I had actually allowed myself the experience! And I would do it again!
What did I learn? What was the SIGN? I want to experience awe, wonder, and bliss more often. I want to give myself permission to embrace fear and go beyond it and, most importantly, I want to sky dive again, both metaphorically and realistically. I want to jump into life everyday and feel that kind of excitement excitement! What about YOU?
Until next time….
Betty
LOVE LOVE LOVE this, Betty!! I’m so proud if you both! It’s so inspiring to read your account as well!!
Thanks Doug – I am proud of me too! This has been a long time coming and I am still sitting here today in a bit of disbelief. How are you – can we connect by phone soon?
Betty
How wonderful Betty for you and Jim. Steve and I are planning this as well this summer with our daughter Sara, who is the instigator of it all since it is on her “bucket list”. I can’t wait to feel the sensation of “flying” as you describe it. Thanks for doing it first and writing about it- I can’t wait.
Lots of love,
Wendy Hudson
Thanks Wendy – you will love it. My only complaint – it was over too quickly!
Betty
AWESOME!!! I am going to do that one of these days… soon, now that I have experienced the ‘flight’ through your eyes and your wonderfully descriptive account. I will probably get your vertically challenged tandem master 🙂
I bet Kirsty was soaring right along there with you.
love,
Noella
Kirsty was definitely with us, laughing all the way! Skydiving is an incredibly exhilirating experience – I am still living the experience in bits!
WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Really so inspired by you both!!!!! What’s next? Can hardly wait to hear! Thank you for the beautiful account of the dive — you paint such a wonderful masterpiece with words my friend!!!
Love,
Patty