I used to live in Lake Elsinore, CA and my backyard butted up against a large field where there happened to be a skydiving airstrip. I would love to be standing outside when you can hear the whoops and hollers from the people jumping. It just sounded like they were having so much fun! It didn't take me long to know that I wanted to jump and found a friend that would be willing to do it with me. When I told my mom that I wanted to jump, it didn't take long for her to tell me she wanted to go also. Then when my dad got wind of it, of course he wanted to go also.
It was November 1999 and we all went to Skydive Elsinore to sign our life away. They sit you down and have you watch videos and sign papers that say - yes, you may die. I think I remember my dad possibly having second thoughts, but we all continued anyway.
It was a little awkward sitting in the small plane, attached to another person waiting for this moment that may change my life. When the moment came, we scooched our way to the open door and got in position. Here is where people tell me they would freeze and wouldn't be able to jump. The way it happens though, is that I just follow directions and it all happened so quickly, the next thing I knew, we were falling through the air and I was laughing the whole way down! The best way I can describe it to someone is that it is like going down a roller coaster hill and that first moment when you feel as though your stomach is in your throat - that is what it's like. But for longer, haha. When it is time to pull the chute, it feels as though you are pulled up into the air and then it's floating all the way down.
Everyone landed safely and my friend Omar and I went the following year in November again. For me it wasn't quite as exciting as the first time, but of course that makes sense. Maybe someday I'll jump again...
