There are a lot of things I want to do in this life. I want to shop in NYC. I want to go to Venice. I want to spend more time with those I love. I want to go on an African photo safari. I have done several things few people in the world have done. (See the list on this blog.) One thing I have never, for one minute, ever wanted to do is to jump out of an airplane. I don’t want to jump without a parachute—obviously—and I have never had the desire to jump with a parachute—or attached to the body of someone who has a parachute. Jumping out of planes has never been on my bucket list. I can’t see it making the list under any circumstances.
Some people love to jump out of airplanes. They do it over and over. They pay a lot of money for that thrill. I don’t get it.
I suppose that IF I were in plane, there might be some reasons for jumping under certain unavoidable circumstances. Please allow me a moment to reflect.
Let’s suppose I’m on my way home from an exhausting business trip. The flight attendant is crabby. I hear the pilot say some unkind words to her/him. I find my seat next to a mother with a toddler and an infant-in-arms. (My only fear of flying!) I ask to be moved. The flight attendant informs me there are more important matters to attend to. The baby, of course, is screaming. The toddler yanks the lid off his sippy cup splattering the red Kool-Aid over my white wool designer suit. I consider my options, but decide that though I may want to, but I’m not jumping out of that plane.
Hijackers are on board! Lives are being threatened. Fear is rampant. Uncertainty abounds. We have no idea where we will end up. People are being hurt. Shoot, no! I’m not jumping. My chances are still better on the plane. I’m staying put.
Plane is going down. Nope. Not jumping. A miracle can always happen. Right? The fuel pump may start working again. The pilot just may be able to get the engine to start again. However bleak our chances may seem, I’m staying with the plane.
So, what could possibly make me jump out of a plane when I’ve never jumped before? No parachute, no jumping lessons, no jumping experience.
What could possibly make me jump from the plane? Nothing but me. Taking control. Deciding my own destiny. Knowing I'm Alive.
Some people love to jump out of airplanes. They do it over and over. They pay a lot of money for that thrill. I don’t get it.
I suppose that IF I were in plane, there might be some reasons for jumping under certain unavoidable circumstances. Please allow me a moment to reflect.
Let’s suppose I’m on my way home from an exhausting business trip. The flight attendant is crabby. I hear the pilot say some unkind words to her/him. I find my seat next to a mother with a toddler and an infant-in-arms. (My only fear of flying!) I ask to be moved. The flight attendant informs me there are more important matters to attend to. The baby, of course, is screaming. The toddler yanks the lid off his sippy cup splattering the red Kool-Aid over my white wool designer suit. I consider my options, but decide that though I may want to, but I’m not jumping out of that plane.
Hijackers are on board! Lives are being threatened. Fear is rampant. Uncertainty abounds. We have no idea where we will end up. People are being hurt. Shoot, no! I’m not jumping. My chances are still better on the plane. I’m staying put.
Plane is going down. Nope. Not jumping. A miracle can always happen. Right? The fuel pump may start working again. The pilot just may be able to get the engine to start again. However bleak our chances may seem, I’m staying with the plane.
So, what could possibly make me jump out of a plane when I’ve never jumped before? No parachute, no jumping lessons, no jumping experience.
What could possibly make me jump from the plane? Nothing but me. Taking control. Deciding my own destiny. Knowing I'm Alive.
1 comment:
You make me proud to be your daughter! Thank you for being an example of strength and courage.
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