Blessing #127 - Thoughts on Skydiving

Since I went skydiving, I have sat down several times to write a post about the experience.  I tried a few different angles, but I just couldn't get my thoughts in order.  So here are my random thoughts about skydiving in a random list.

1. When I asked Shad, "Hey, would you mind if I went skydiving?" I was really asking, "Hey, can I strap myself (very tightly) to a complete stranger...probably a man, and throw myself out of an airplane...voluntarily.  Oh! And could you stay on the ground and watch our kids as I do it, and hope and pray that my parachute opens?"  It takes a strong man to say yes to that question.  Fortunately, I have a strong man.

2. As tough as you make think you are by going skydiving, nothing makes you look more like an L 7 weenie than taking a few puffs from your inhaler before you suit up. (+2 points for Sandlot reference)


3. The day before I jumped, this story came out about "80 year olds Skydiving Trip from Hell."  I did not read the whole story because I was too scared.  I just assumed she lived because the headline didn't read, "Grandma Dies Skydiving."  I mentioned this to my tandem partner as he was fixing my straps.  He said, "The problem is when the door to the plane is open no sounds like go."  I looked at him and said, "Well, if we get up there and you hear me yelling, 'banana' that means no. Do not leave the plane."

4.  If you ever go skydiving, pay the extra money and get the video.   I'm cheapy cheapskate and I wasn't going to do it, but a friend on facebook that had skydived encouraged me to get the video.  I'm so glad I did.  Having the video really showed Shad and the boys what it was like.  They got to experience it with me. Shad was actually surprised by how calm I was.  I think I earned a few, "my wife is awesome" points.

5. There is a very simple answer if anyone says, "You shouldn't skydive. You are a mom and that's selfish,"   The Duggar Mom, mother of 19 kids,  did it! Yes! All of life is full of risks.  Is skydiving a risk? Yes, but for me the benefits outweighed the risks.

6. After you skydive, from that point on if anything ever happens to anyone while skydiving, everyone will make sure and tell you about it. 

7.   When I was picking a company that I was going to jump with, one of my requirements was whether or not they made you wear a jumpsuit.  Some skydiving places have you jump in your normal clothes, but Skydive Delmarva has jumpsuits that go over your clothes.  It's a small thing, but it makes the jump feel more professional, and if there's one time I don't want to go casual, it's when I'm jumping out of a plane. 

8.  When people hear that I went skydiving (because I bring it up in as many conversations as possible), they have one of two reactions.  People will say, "You are crazy," or they will say, "I have always wanted to do that!"  I think there are two types of people in the world.  Those that want to go skydiving and those that know they don't want to go skydiving.  There doesn't seem to be many in between people. 

9.  I was terrified...TeRrIfIeD the last few days before I jumped, but once I got on the plane the excitement (or temporary insanity) took over and I felt nothing but excitement. 

10.  During free fall, it did not feel like I was falling.  When you are two miles in the air, the ground isn't rushing to your face as you fall.  You don't have any building or anything to give you perspective.  It feels like you are flying.  It's absolutely....100% amazing. 

11. One of my favorite parts of skydiving was being above the clouds.  When my tandem partner first pulled the rip cord, we were even with the clouds.  He even went over to one so I could reach out to it.  When I get really excited, I have to narrate out loud to myself what is happening.  I just said over and over, "It's my thirtieth birthday, and I'm touching a cloud!"

12. If skydiving is something you've always wanted to do....DO IT!  Life is filled with too many, "I wish I could haves," or "I always wanted to's." Skydiving is one you can easily cross of that list.  All you need to do is save up your money...and courage.