A Leap of Faith!

My son and his girlfriend came to visit us recently and we were on the go, squeezing every minute we could out of the short time we had together. Okay… I’ll be honest. They were mostly on the go; my husband and I worked hard to keep up with them.
One of the things on the agenda was their first attempt at skydiving. They looked into a facility in Titusville, Florida, which advertised a good view of the Kennedy Space Center from the plane climbing to 15,000 feet. They signed up and were forewarned that the process would take approximately four hours from signing in until they completed their jump and left with a video of their experience. My husband and I went along as support –my husband armed with a camera; I, armed with a prayer for their safety.
They checked in and the wait began. We discovered all morning appointments are processed before the jumpers are scheduled for their flights. Milling around within the sight of the plane and observing the many parachutes lying on the floor of the hangar, tension grew. Time crept by. Nerves of jumpers and non-jumpers alike were strung out until finally names were announced for each group of five. Steve and Hilary were in the second group.
The first group climbed aboard the plane, moving awkwardly in all their gear. We stood together and watched as the plane roared down the runway and lifted into the air. We searched the sky as the plane climbed among the clouds. Soon, a cry rang out and we saw teeny tiny colorful parachutes floating in the air above us, bodies dangling from them. Some of those bodies swerved and dipped in playful maneuvers way above the earth . It was thrilling and frightening to watch them.
Steve and Hilary took off with the second load, each with a videographer taking pictures of them and their tandem partner. While they must have been thinking about the exciting moment they’d jump from the plane, I stood with my feet firmly on the ground, thinking about the leap of faith it would take for anyone to actually do it.
With a little shove from their instructors, they fell into the sky and had the time of their lives, screaming for the fright and the pure joy of it. My husband and I watched breathlessly as they swooped with outstretched arms, like strange-looking birds. At the sight of them sweeping in for a landing, touching the ground with a smile on their faces, my breathing became a little easier.
For the next few days, I couldn’t help thinking of their leap of faith and relating it to writing. For most writers, a leap of faith is required every day. We look at a blank page and jump in, hoping for a good ride and a smooth landing.
Here’s wishing that your next leap is a good one!
Ready, get set, go!