Sunday, October 5, 2008

Leap of Faith

Is that trite?
What should it be called?
Jump?
We're Alive?
Sugar We're Goin' Down? (on my playlist of songs not to play on the way to the airport)

So it's all good. This is the story. Marc, Saige, Chase and Chase's brother from another mother, Ethan, and I, piled in the car and headed up state so Mommy and Daddy could throw themselves out of an airplane. You know, what else do you do on a Sunday once the weather has gotten crisp and the pool has closed? In true "us" fashion, we got lost, took the long way there. Luckily, it's kind of a laid back thing. We got there. Signed and initialed our lives away (truthfully, did not read one line of the fine print- the risks seemed obvious, no need to beat a dead horse). Then we watched a 4 1/2 minute video from the early 80's. I'm being honest. It was basically pointless. Once again, whatever. After that wealth of information with the Hare Krishna looking guy we just went and stood outside. And waited. And waited. And waited. They were running a little behind because the weather hadn't been great in the morning.

A lot of that time was spent with Chase and Ethan chasing eaching other around and Marc playing block breaker. I was listening to everyone talk. Like a stalker would. I wanted to hear all the people say how much they loved it. I was fine. Even when the kids asked me if I was scared, I said, "No." I wasn't. I was past that at that point. I mean Christ, we were here. It's pretty much a done deal. To back out now would be beyond lame. I could never do that to my kids. They were so proud of us. Really. I thought they might be a little apprehensive, but not in the least. They were psyched.
So finally it was time to suit up. Marc got his harness on first with all the obligatory snide comments of the guy whose lap he would be sitting on. Guy stuff. Whatever. Let's get this show on the road.

Then it was time. We got in this little plane, with no seats and no pretty girl to bring us drinks. We sat on the floor. My guy, Dave, and Marc's guy joked with each other. Dave has jumped 1600 times. I feel a little better. I'm feeling a bit anxious though, because, basically friends, there's only one way down. I'm trying to just breathe. My videographer girl was sitting on the opposite end of the plane and she kept smiling at me and asking me how I was doing, "Scared." That's it. But I just put it out of my head because this was happening, the choice was over, might as well accept it. So we get to the edge at the open door, I cross my arms in front of my chest and lean into Dave as we backflip out of the plane. We spent the free fall time looking at the videographer, smiling, giving the thumbs up. It was worth the hundred bucks just to have that to focus on. I will say, in complete honesty, it was hands down, the coolest thing I have ever done. It felt amazing. After the free fall Dave pulls the chute. The videographer flies away on her own and me and my new best friend float down. He points out lakes and quarries and Philadelphia. The whole thing was completely surreal. He tried to get me to fly. I did for a minute and then told him I wanted him to do all the work. :)

That's Marc with the red white and blue chute and Me, with the red, yellow and grey one.
We floated to the ground. It was amazing. Do it. I'll go with you (or Marc, he'll definitely go with you!)

And Mom, I'm calling you tomorrow. I've been avoiding it cause I thought you would be scared for me. I miss you.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yeah, you're back on the ground! (Although truth be told, I wouldn't be surprised if you were writing this from you crackberry mid-jump....) Love the comment about the fine print - agree, risks seem a bit obvious.

Once again I will live vicariously through you - I can cross "throwing myself out of a perfectly good plane" off my to do list.

Amy said...

The plane was actually a little crappy to be honest. One Wednesday we're going to head the car up the NE extension instead of to class. It's a brand new trick. You're gonna love it.

Lula! said...

YOU DID IT!!!!! Oh my head, I'm so excited! I swear, on our flight home today I thought of you about 10 times, wondering if you did it...if you'd done it...if you decided not to at the last minute...if you'd blog about it.

I'm so excited for you! Thanks for sharing...and for the pictures. I am still living vicariously through you.

Tiffany said...

AHHHHHHH!!!!

You are officially my hero!

Girl! I love that you did it!!!

Thanks for the pics!!!

Simple Answer said...

Holy cow! You did it! I'm with Kathy. I'll live vicariously and just cross that off my list. My SP the pilot always says you have to be a little bit crazy (but the cool kind) to jump out of a perfectly good airplane!

Sue Jacquette said...

I love you guys. That's all I can say. You just amaze me. I'm so proud of you!

Anonymous said...

It's actually pretty inspiring...you're awesome! I can't believe they had a videographer! Of course they did, right? But I guess there's one memory you actually want them to capture, if for no other reason than to prove that you really WERE that crazy!

hugs, high fives, and all that jazz! :)

Meredith said...

Scared? Scared? Me? I've just taken my first full breath since you announced this latest hairbrained scheme. Forgive me, do I sound scared? Do you hear my teeth chattering? Sorry.
Love, Mom

jami~ said...

i am so completely proud of you!!
you rock, amy.

and now , i gotta see that video.

Anonymous said...

Okay Amy, I just looked closely at the rest of the photos. You jumped out of a plane without a parachute on YOUR back!!!!! Yeah, I know "Dave had one" but, sheez, they could have at least strapped one of those inflatable 'roid pillows to you - just in case of a bumpy landing.

Again, I am so glad to have you as my vicarious alter-ego. (I'll wear the dorky glasses and you wear the shiney spandex & cape)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations aren't you glad you did it! As I told you it is something everyone should do once in their life. I felt like I could take on the world after I jumped.

MarkNYC said...

I'm happy for you, and relieved, but only briefly. I'm nervously awaiting your next act of insanity.

Of course, that old family competive streak is now rearing its ugly head. With your leap of courage, my trapeze glory has been negated a hundred times over, so now I'm going to have to hurling myself out of some little crappy plane. Damn you! I'll have to figure out some way to top you on this one. Maybe I'll have a Cosmopolitan or get Botox injections mid-air, or maybe I'll simply jump naked.

Anonymous said...

You so crazy!!! Both of you. I mean I'm crazy, but even in the looniest moment of insanity, I will never jump out of a plane. Heights is my biggest fear. Not only that, the poor unfortunate guy that would be strapped to me would be soaked cause I wet my pants amongst other things. I'm just saying. You go girl!! (and Marc)

Aimee said...

Woo Hoo! Wasn't it awesome???

Lisa Samuel said...

I am soo happy that my BFF came down in one piece. I"m not sure how I would have picked up the pieces after saige, chase and ethan saw anything other than a happy landing!! Thank god they all want to skydive when they are legal! AMEN

Amy said...

LeighAnne, Thank you! I love your enthusiasm. I hope you had the best time in Las Vegas!
Tiffany, Thank you! It was a bit scary, but now I'm ready for all my friends to go. You in?
SA- Your husband is probably right, but like I told Kathy, it was kind of a crappy plane anyway. :)
Sue-Thanks girl. You ready?
Christy-The videographer was extra, but totally worth it, it was cool smiling at her while we were free falling. That was the best part.
Mommy-I'm sorry I scared you. I knew I did. It's all over now. Love you.
Jami-Thank you. I will bring the video to our weekend, if I don't post it on here. Which I might. I need to see it first.:)
Kathy- I know, I was only strapped to him and after the parachute goes up he loosens you up, it scared me.
Anon- You were an inspiration, I loved your other comment. What's the next on the adrenaline rush list?
Mark- I so one upped that trapeze class. LYTB
Heather-You know we're crazy, it shouldn't surprise you at all.
Aimeepalooza-Totally awesome!
Lisa- Thanks baby, you know I didn't want to plunge to my death in front of the kids, mainly because I knew you were busy, who would have picked them up???? They all want to go. Dave's gonna kill me.

Anonymous said...

I love the last photo. You look like you are emerging from a wreckage, completely unscathed. I am imagining that'll be the same look on your face when you have finally pulled the ultimate heist....:) Bring the video to Spa Weekend!
Jen