I remember my skydiving experience vividly, as if it happened just yesterday. The exhilarating moments come rushing back—the anticipation during the 15-minute airplane ride, sitting on the rough carpet, and the heat of summer adding to the intensity.
As the aircraft ascended with 22 jumpers, time seemed to stretch. The thin air at higher altitudes made it easy to drift into a deep slumber, as if the wind's gentle lullaby whispered me into a peaceful nap. The rhythmic hum of the engines lulled me into a serene sleep.
However, as we approached the final altitude, a jolt of awareness dispelled any drowsiness. Adrenaline surged, and every nerve tingled with excitement. It was time to wake from my tranquil respite and prepare for the exhilarating dive into the open sky.
It's been an incredible 20 years since my last skydiving adventure. Reflecting back, I realize I had the privilege of making thousands of jumps starting in 1992. Despite breaking my feet in 1995, I returned to the skies just three months later. Skydiving became a significant part of my life: I established a parachute retail store, operated a mail-order business, created skydiving training videos, and authored a book.
Though I consider myself a novice compared to many seasoned skydivers, my close friend Jeff Provenzano stands out as a true master of the meditative aspect of skydiving. Our shared journey began together. While I can recall every detail of my parachute container, my final gear was a Mirage container and a Stiletto 120' parachute. I encountered two parachute malfunctions—one from hooking up my Vengeance 107' backwards during a test flight, leading me to "chop" it and deploy my reserve parachute. It was exhilarating, crazy, and somewhat foolish fun.
The memories of the skydiving community remain etched in my mind. I remember the faces of every person I met, the laughter, and the overall sense of craziness. The sound of the Twin Otter revving its engines as it charged down the runway still rings in my ears. I recall the thunderous descent of large formations of skydivers just before reaching break altitude. Alongside the vibrant memories, I also remember a few fallen comrades who left a profound impact on me: Gus Wing, Mike Truffer, and Joe Stanley. Their departure shook the community, and their names will forever hold significance in our hearts. Patrick, Rob, and Tom are also etched in my memory, representing the great individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice.
I cherish the countless moments and experiences I had throughout my years of skydiving. As I pray, I hope my children do not follow in my adventurous footsteps, for I recognize the inherent risks involved. Nonetheless, I am immensely grateful for the joy and fulfillment that skydiving brought into my life. Amen, and praise be to God.
