Fabulous narrative Terrell and it rings so true as I recall my “moment of truth” some 40 years ago. I have a friend (I call him “my Zorba the Greek”) who was going through a divorce and
thought a “sky dive” would give him some clarity. Of course he asked me to join him for support. I did but when it was time to “suit up” I decided my wife and two children needed me more than I needed the next adrenaline rush. I declined and watched my Zorba jump & land with the biggest smile on his face I had ever witnessed. Would I have skydived prior to marriage? I’ll never know the answer to that question but at the age of 74 I have no regrets.
As I read your story I thought I had written it about my skydiving adventure. Your experience of your skydiving was exactly how I felt. I made it my News Year Resolution and I was doing it to help with my fear of heights. When we got to place that we were going to be jumping from we were told that the plane was halted as an experienced diver was stuck in a tree. We had to wait a couple of hours before we were able to go up. It didn't help with my fear of heights but still am glad I did it. I was 58 years old at the time. Would i do it again????? Hmmmmmm.....
I always have that "Gulp" moment when I start off on a Half Marathon! :)
Loved your description of the plane. I had a boyfriend in the 60's who was a Sky-Diver. His team went solo. The plane interior was just like that! He never would let me jump, which I would have loved, but I did learn how to fold the "chutes."
Closest experience I've had is being put behind an In-board motor boat (it was Fast!) on one water ski. I didn't have the faintest how to ski on two much less one. . . and I didn't know how to swim.
Fun and games, but all's well that ends well. . .and I'm still here to find those "Gulp" moments!
When I was 48yrs (79 now) I joined my son in Atlanta for a skydiving experience. We had training for several hours in the morning and when it came time to board the plane, the jump master asked if we wanted to jump solo or tandem. My son said without hesitation, “Solo.”
So not to be out done by my son, I replied, “Solo, too.”
We had to walk out on the wheel struts while holding on to the wing supports and await the jump signal.
It was exhilarating, incredibly quiet up there with the wind quietly tugging at the chute’s edges. Thanks, son!!
Oh, my god. I read the whole thing and kept laughing. And I am thinking to myself, would I do it one day? Followed by an immediate shake of my head, no way I am gonna do that. The risk is too high, I just can not take the consequence. But I applaud you! It is definitely a fond memory which would last a life long.
It's a great story! I wanted to skydive some time ago, well at least 25 years ago, but seems like yesterday - they did not let me because I wore glasses back then. No sure if it's still on my plan, but the description of feelings is incredible! I agree with Nilima that the Gulp moment is right before the start of each race - especially last 10 seconds... and then you start running. And still gulping a little:)
I also had that moment of "I have to do be the one to do it" when I decided to snorkel between two tectonic plates (North America and EuroAsia) when went to Iceland this past June with Vacation Races global adventures - Silfra is the only place in the world where you can dive or snorkel directly in a crack between two tectonic plates. The crack is about 300 ft deep and it's so clear you can see the bottom and the temperature is 35 degrees. With no snorkeling experience at all and wearing thick wet suit so I could potentially dive (and I did!), the first 30 seconds was constant gulp when I looked down the crack through the swim mask.
Another recent Gulp was when I started my first ever Boston few weeks ago - I still "gulp" when I recollect that moment. That was very emotional and I guess always will be. Thank you for sharing!!!
Oh..my..goodness. Just the narrative kicked me in the gut. I guess it’s about the follow through. Also, there’s the “what if” question that plagues you when you don’t follow through. It’s amazing too what peer pressure will do to us. Good on you. And at sunset too!
“Have I ever had an experience like that?” Ummmm… 30 years as an Army paratrooper, a few times.
Great narrative - a good morning read. Reminds me of my wondering whether I could ever run a full marathon
Fabulous narrative Terrell and it rings so true as I recall my “moment of truth” some 40 years ago. I have a friend (I call him “my Zorba the Greek”) who was going through a divorce and
thought a “sky dive” would give him some clarity. Of course he asked me to join him for support. I did but when it was time to “suit up” I decided my wife and two children needed me more than I needed the next adrenaline rush. I declined and watched my Zorba jump & land with the biggest smile on his face I had ever witnessed. Would I have skydived prior to marriage? I’ll never know the answer to that question but at the age of 74 I have no regrets.
Thanks for sharing Terrell…
As I read your story I thought I had written it about my skydiving adventure. Your experience of your skydiving was exactly how I felt. I made it my News Year Resolution and I was doing it to help with my fear of heights. When we got to place that we were going to be jumping from we were told that the plane was halted as an experienced diver was stuck in a tree. We had to wait a couple of hours before we were able to go up. It didn't help with my fear of heights but still am glad I did it. I was 58 years old at the time. Would i do it again????? Hmmmmmm.....
I always have that "Gulp" moment when I start off on a Half Marathon! :)
Loved your description of the plane. I had a boyfriend in the 60's who was a Sky-Diver. His team went solo. The plane interior was just like that! He never would let me jump, which I would have loved, but I did learn how to fold the "chutes."
Closest experience I've had is being put behind an In-board motor boat (it was Fast!) on one water ski. I didn't have the faintest how to ski on two much less one. . . and I didn't know how to swim.
Fun and games, but all's well that ends well. . .and I'm still here to find those "Gulp" moments!
When I was 48yrs (79 now) I joined my son in Atlanta for a skydiving experience. We had training for several hours in the morning and when it came time to board the plane, the jump master asked if we wanted to jump solo or tandem. My son said without hesitation, “Solo.”
So not to be out done by my son, I replied, “Solo, too.”
We had to walk out on the wheel struts while holding on to the wing supports and await the jump signal.
It was exhilarating, incredibly quiet up there with the wind quietly tugging at the chute’s edges. Thanks, son!!
None that dynamic. Way to go!
Oh, my god. I read the whole thing and kept laughing. And I am thinking to myself, would I do it one day? Followed by an immediate shake of my head, no way I am gonna do that. The risk is too high, I just can not take the consequence. But I applaud you! It is definitely a fond memory which would last a life long.
It's a great story! I wanted to skydive some time ago, well at least 25 years ago, but seems like yesterday - they did not let me because I wore glasses back then. No sure if it's still on my plan, but the description of feelings is incredible! I agree with Nilima that the Gulp moment is right before the start of each race - especially last 10 seconds... and then you start running. And still gulping a little:)
I also had that moment of "I have to do be the one to do it" when I decided to snorkel between two tectonic plates (North America and EuroAsia) when went to Iceland this past June with Vacation Races global adventures - Silfra is the only place in the world where you can dive or snorkel directly in a crack between two tectonic plates. The crack is about 300 ft deep and it's so clear you can see the bottom and the temperature is 35 degrees. With no snorkeling experience at all and wearing thick wet suit so I could potentially dive (and I did!), the first 30 seconds was constant gulp when I looked down the crack through the swim mask.
Another recent Gulp was when I started my first ever Boston few weeks ago - I still "gulp" when I recollect that moment. That was very emotional and I guess always will be. Thank you for sharing!!!
Oh..my..goodness. Just the narrative kicked me in the gut. I guess it’s about the follow through. Also, there’s the “what if” question that plagues you when you don’t follow through. It’s amazing too what peer pressure will do to us. Good on you. And at sunset too!