Have you ever really wanted something, but terrified of it at the same time?

Have you worried about how, exactly, things were going to happen the way they should?

Have you ever felt like you were flying blind, and had no control over what was going to happen next?

Well that was me…

 

I wanted to celebrate my 50th birthday in a big way and thought a tandem skydive would make it memorable. It was something that had been on my ‘bucket list’ for many years and I had decided it was time I took the plunge.

It took 6 months in the planning. I wanted it to be perfect. When I rang to book I told them I wanted a “hunky guy strapped to the back of me looking after me and making sure I was all right.” The lady on the other end of the phone laughed, and said “You need Andre.”

“Well, OK.” I said. “An Andre sounds good.”

So for the next 6 months I talked continuously about how I was having an ‘Andre’, and how much I was looking forward to the experience. We had planned a picnic in the park to celebrate afterwards and invited everyone we knew to join us for the momentous occasion.

In the end, with the best of plans, I didn’t get to jump on the day I had planned, but we did have a great picnic. And I didn’t get my ‘Andre’, but I did get to meet him later, and he was indeed a hunky guy.

I had Mick as my instructor instead, whose job it was to ensure I landed safely on the ground. At that point it didn’t really matter whether he was ‘hunky’, just that he was qualified and experienced. Safety became the most important factor.

I had a welcoming committee of family and friends to meet me when I landed, complete with a Happy 50th Birthday banner, and some champagne to celebrate.  My daughter even jumped with me, as well as a couple of brave friends.

So many people had doubted me along the way, and sometimes I had even doubted myself. And yes, I was terrified.

 

BUT…..

 

with…

• a support crew around me,
• an experienced instructor guiding me, and
• a parachute to ensure my safety was of paramount importance

 

I DID IT!!!    I ACTUALLY DID IT!!!

 

I JUMPED OUT OF A PLANE!!!

 

In reality, I didn’t actually do the jumping. It was Mick that did the jumping. I just held on tight and enjoyed the ride.

 

AND…….

 

IT WAS AWESOME!!! 

 

IT REALLY WAS!