Over ten years ago when Chelsea graduated from high school we asked her what she wanted to mark the occasion, what gift would she prefer…
Chelsea's smile had a tinge of mischief and her eyes started to sparkle. I thought to myself this is not going to be a typical response, I better prepare myself. I sat down. She said she would like to parachute out of a plane. I looked at my feet and thought to myself that is what you get for marrying a wild Frenchman. This is what you get for raising independent children. This is what you get… no Coco Chanel, no little something wrapped in a pretty blue box, that you can hold in your hand, and wear for years to come. No, this is what you have a free-spirited daughter. I could almost hear French Husband licking his lips with glee.
Chelsea jumped out of a plane or parachuted, as it sounds more civil.
My words of advice to her before she jumped out of the plane were:
1) When they ask you how much you weigh this is time to add several pounds to the number. You want the straps to support more, not less.
2) Before you "buddy-jump," with the professional- ask him where the pull cord is. That way in case he should faint, or get a bug caught in his eye, or die, you know where to pull to have that parachute open up.
3) If you feel like throwing up lean your head to the side, and turn your face up otherwise it will come back on you.
4) Keep your eyes open and breath, feel your freedom.
___________________________________________
The little birds do fly away from the nest. At the time I felt the pain of letting her go but instead, I heard myself say,
"Fly little girl fly!"
_____________________________________________________
Later I asked her:
Chelsea, were you afraid?
No, not at all.
Not at all? Not even a tiny bit?
No, not even a tiny bit.
Chelsea, did it hurt?
No, not at all.
Not at all? Not even a tiny bit?
Okay, maybe a teeny tiny bit.
I am not jumping.
____________________________________________
With that, I thought how would life be different if we weren't afraid? Afraid of hurting someone? Afraid of failing? Afraid of getting hurt? Afraid of making a mistake. Afraid of something I cannot label?
What would I do differently?
Well I would jump out of a plane if I knew it wouldn't hurt not even a tiny bit.
____________________________________________
What would you do if fear and pain weren't in the equation?
Leave a Reply