Recently I watched two of my most precious people jump out of an airplane. Even as I type those words I get a little teary thinking about how important these two women are to me. Both are brave, strong, well-spoken, loving and kind. Though they share many qualities one is a young 24 and one is a young at heart 82.
The story as I heard it goes something like this: Mom-in-Law (Gram) entered a contest at her local gym. It is a January kick-off promotion to encourage members to get active. You earn tickets for participating in a variety of activities and can then enter an array of drawings for numerous prizes. Gram really wants to win the Deluxe Sky Diving Package for 2. After 3 years her name is finally drawn. The family email goes out with the exciting news.
Waiting for those parachutes to open I was anxious and fiercely proud. I can remember struggling as a kid just to jump off the 10-foot diving platform at our local pool. I jumped, even though I really wanted to turn around and climb back down the ladder. Though it never got easy, with every jump I gained a little more self-confidence. Does anyone remember nickel swim night?
Waiting, as bodies emerged from a plane so high it was barely visible, I wondered if this was ever on my daughter’s bucket list. As daughter tells the story she simply answered the email by saying, ‘sounds fun Gram!’ The next thing daughter knew, Gram was inviting her along to be her plus 1 and they were choosing a date.
Fiercely proud and utter relief as those chutes opened.
PS-I think maybe the contest was rigged….
