3.21.93

[skybytch 273]

I wasn't jumping much the first months of 1993. Despite three years in the sport, at this point I didn't have a rig and my income was still a few years from breaking the poverty level again.

There weren't a lot of logbook entries made during 1992 either. Jumpmastering and instructing were fun, dealing with some of Al's "moments" wasn't; I'd stopped working for him shortly after getting my I rating and many weekends in late 1992 found me doing things other than skydiving.

David and I settled into our new home in Paso Robles the first of March. Moving to the same city the dz was located in was more about getting closer to work than closer to the dz. But, trading a forty five minute drive for a five minute one got me out to the dz the following weekend. Using borrowed gear I did 2 four ways that weekend and had fun hanging out with my friends.

Unpacking boxes and a lack of money kept me from jumping again until the 21st. Burrus let me borrow one of his rigs and we did a five way - me, Steve, Jeff Hunt, Harry and Camille. My logbook says we got 12,500 out of a 206. We freeflew the exit and turned six points doing rotating spiders. Steve's Sharpchuter was a tad bit big for me, so of course I landed last. I wasn't way out in the field at least this time. Everyone was gathering their gear up and heading for the truck. Steve, Camille and Jeff were all barefoot. As we loaded into the truck for the ride back to the hangar, Al looked over at us and said something about the "skygod" load is the one no one wears shoes on. We all laughed.

I hung around the hangar for awhile, chatting with friends. At one point Al asked the dz at large if anyone could drive the truck for this load. I volunteered.

The truck was an early 1960's Ford. It was white at one point in it's lifetime; by this point it was more of a dirty grey. Someone had invested in low profile wheels and tires for it, lowering it by at least a couple of inches. It did not have power steering. But it did have a big, clear bed area for skydivers to sit in and steel sides to hold on to on the short drive between the hangar and the plane.

I got in the truck and turned the ignition. Nothing happened. Hm. Tried again. Nothing. Sigh.

"Okay, what's the secret password?" I asked.

Al was already in the back of the truck, ready to go. "Pull back on the shifter when you turn the ignition."

Vroom! Okay, that worked. Now to steer this thing. I manuevered the beast over to the plane, dumped the people out and managed to get it back to the hangar without running anyone off the road, destroying any landscaping or damaging any other vehicles.

A couple of hours after my one jump that day I was sitting on the tailgate of the truck, parked in front of the hangar. Looking inside I could see Al and Gregg gearing up their next tandem students. I got a weird feeling, someone telling me to grab David and go home. I couldn't afford to jump again anyway, so I listened to the voice, said goodbye to a few people and went home.

Tom showed up to visit shortly after we got there. Around 7 pm we were sitting on the couch, watching TV, when the phone rang. It was Steph. She said "Al didn't make it." I said "What?" I'm thinking why would Steph call to tell me Al didn't make it back from a bad spot?

I don't remember what Steph said next, or how we ended the call. Somehow she got through to me that Al and his student, the one I'd been watching gear up, had gone in. I didn't believe it. I couldn't believe it. There was just no way Al could have gone in. Anyone else maybe. Not Al "keep pulling handles 'til your goggles fill with blood" Stephens. Nope. Sorry. Not buyin' it.

The eleven o'clock news made me believe it.

Somehow I made it to work the next morning, to the stunned faces of my whuffo co-workers. They hadn't expected me to be there. At lunch I drove out to the dz and gave and got hugs from those who were there. Details are a blur; mostly I remember sadness and confusion. Nothing was said at work when I returned 20 minutes late from lunch that day.

They were good about it at work when I took most of the day off later that week for the memorial service. Knowing I had to go back to work and order a bunch of automotive parts it was silly of me to drink that many beers once we'd gone back to the dz. But I did. And then I went to work and instead of one I ordered 10 front end facias for 1991 Pontiac Grand Ams.

It's been ten years now. Thanks for all you taught me, Al. I miss you.

[Push 0]

I'm sorry Lisa. It's good to hear you remembering him.

Blue skies forever.

-- Toggle Whippin' Yahoo
Skydiving is easy. All you have to do is relax while plummetting at 120 mph from 10,000' with nothing but some nylon and webbing to save you.

[Viking 0]

Very nice post Lisa. I bet he was Smiling and throwing back a beer watching you become a world record holder.

I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver
My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin

[jtval 0]

very touching, lisa.

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[hookitt 1]

Wow... I remember that day well. I didn't know Al. Every in the room knew him but me. Greg came in and gathered us around and told every one the news. That's when I started hearing some good stories about Al.

Thanks Lisa. That was beautiful.

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[skymama 37]

That was very nice, Lisa. May we all be remembered in such a beautiful way.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[jceman 1]

Thank you Lisa.

On the 31st, it will be two years since we lost Jan Davis (Jan Devil), and I miss her fiercely.

It takes a special person to leave such indelible marks on other's lives; it seems Al was one of those special ones

[skybytch 273]

Al was my FJC, JCC and ICC instructor. He also took care of most of my training for my rigger's ticket. He was the first person I knew personally who died skydiving.

I take a few minutes to remember him every year around this time. Thanks for reading and commenting on this year's rememberance.
Take the time to remember those that you have lost. Keep their memory alive; they'll always fly with you.

[skybytch 273]

Twenty years. Hard to believe it's been that long. Hard to believe that someone I knew for only 3 years could have had such a huge impact (pun very much intended) on my life.

Keep flying free, Al. Thanks again.