Breathe, Pray, Smile- I did it!

Less than two months after writing to you about considering going skydiving, I have taken the plunge! This weekend I was granted an opportunity to jump with the U.S. Army's Golden Knights as part of the 2008 Huntsville Airshow. Before I knew it, I'd volunteered to do it and I'm glad I did. It was an unforgettable experience.

Of course I was nervous, because after all I would be jumping out of a perfectly good airplane-13,000 feet above ground, falling at 120mph; yet I wasn't terrified! I said many prayers and trusted that God would take care of me. I knew HE would. However, when we first jumped out of the plane, I thought I was going to die, seriously! That lasted for about five seconds and then I reminded myself to breathe, pray and smile (the instructor told me to smile so my pictures would look good!) My tandem team- Joe, Joe and Bryan was the best! They walked me through the process and tried to keep me calm with their never ending jokes. Trust me, few of them were really funny- something about "brown chicken, brown cow" and calling my jumpsuit the latest in "fall" fashion." (I know, not funny.)

At the time we jumped, two of the Golden Knights' photographers also jumped to get video and pictures of my once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was more concerned with breathing and praying, but I'm glad I remembered to smile. Thanks guys!

I didn't tell my mother about my adventure until it was over. I am an only child and my mother would have discouraged me from doing it. Actually, she wouldn't have discouraged me, she would have just said no, and that would have been it- case closed! When I called her Saturday afternoon, she screamed. I told her I figured either I would call her Saturday afternoon or the Army would call her. Mommie said she didn't want any calls from the Army! I'm glad they didn't have to reach her. Everyone keeps asking if I'd do it again. I could, but I think if I did, it would pale in comparison to my experience with the Golden Knights. Go Army.

Watch the video

NOTE: I cannot write about my wonderful experience on Saturday, without expressing my condolences to the family of five-year-old Josiah Miller who was killed during the airshow on Sunday. I jumped on Saturday and did not attend the show on Sunday. I know this is an extremely difficult time for the Miller family and there are no words to comfort them. I am praying for them and I know that just as God took care of me during that jump, He will also be with them during this tragedy.