Here are two responses (neither involve skydiving … I’m very religious … I’m a devout coward): 1) took the Fenway Park tour years ago when visiting Boston … when the guide was wrapping up, he said, “If at 1st you don’t succeed, …” I interrupted him and said, “Don’t take up skydiving.” He quickly responded, “If at first don’t succeed, try second! 2) my “skydiving” moment involves running. After discussing my desire to do a full marathon (I had done 15 or 16 halves), an associate said, “Put your money where your mouth is and register.” Nine months later, after a lot of training, I did do my one and only full marathon. It was my skydiving moment!
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, Clark! I totally get that, and I bet I’d have done the same thing. When I did this 20 years ago, I was single and didn’t have any kids. (I didn’t say anything to my parents, either, until *after* I’d done the jump and made it back home!) Today, being a dad now, I probably wouldn’t do it. But when my kids are older and can support themselves… who knows?
As the first born, my precious parents raised me to be a very responsible individual.
Often, it felt like a burden and then during a Yoga class in my 30's, the teacher broke down the word "responsible" as the "ability to respond". From that day on, I "got it" and have always tried to take care of myself so I always have the ability to respond to whatever situation presents itself. Instead of a burden, I finally "knew" and "felt" the freedom of choice I had in any given moment to treasure and safeguard my mind, body and spirit's inherent gifts.
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!!!
Haha! Many more "gulps" to come! Another Half at Lake Washington this coming Saturday--some really good hill climbs where I'll find out how crazy I really am. I still think I'd love skydiving, tho not in tandem. . . I'd love to do it alone like the boys in the 60s (even tho a few of them splattered!) . .and why didn't they tell me about the dive in Iceland? I would have gone. Must have been unpopular when I was there in 2013! :)
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
Here are two responses (neither involve skydiving … I’m very religious … I’m a devout coward): 1) took the Fenway Park tour years ago when visiting Boston … when the guide was wrapping up, he said, “If at 1st you don’t succeed, …” I interrupted him and said, “Don’t take up skydiving.” He quickly responded, “If at first don’t succeed, try second! 2) my “skydiving” moment involves running. After discussing my desire to do a full marathon (I had done 15 or 16 halves), an associate said, “Put your money where your mouth is and register.” Nine months later, after a lot of training, I did do my one and only full marathon. It was my skydiving moment!
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…
Thanks, Clark! I totally get that, and I bet I’d have done the same thing. When I did this 20 years ago, I was single and didn’t have any kids. (I didn’t say anything to my parents, either, until *after* I’d done the jump and made it back home!) Today, being a dad now, I probably wouldn’t do it. But when my kids are older and can support themselves… who knows?
As the first born, my precious parents raised me to be a very responsible individual.
Often, it felt like a burden and then during a Yoga class in my 30's, the teacher broke down the word "responsible" as the "ability to respond". From that day on, I "got it" and have always tried to take care of myself so I always have the ability to respond to whatever situation presents itself. Instead of a burden, I finally "knew" and "felt" the freedom of choice I had in any given moment to treasure and safeguard my mind, body and spirit's inherent gifts.
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 ❤️ this story
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!
Me too, Nilima!
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!!
Wow, I am really surprised after only a few hours they let you jump solo. Good for you. I don’t think I ever would of had the nerve to do that.
Wow, Susan!!
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.
Thanks so much, Haijing! It was a blast — but probably something I’ll only do once! 😀
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!!!
Haha! Many more "gulps" to come! Another Half at Lake Washington this coming Saturday--some really good hill climbs where I'll find out how crazy I really am. I still think I'd love skydiving, tho not in tandem. . . I'd love to do it alone like the boys in the 60s (even tho a few of them splattered!) . .and why didn't they tell me about the dive in Iceland? I would have gone. Must have been unpopular when I was there in 2013! :)
Congrats on Boston! I hope all went well.
I love hearing the stories you guys share in the comments -- it seriously makes my day every time 😃
I love going back and reading the comments too! So many stories that we could tell. . .it would more than fill a book!
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!
Thanks, Sharon! 🙏 It was so, so amazing.