slotperfect 7 #1 June 9, 2005 My Dad passed away in September, and after a brief and thorough period of mourning my Mom began getting accustomed to her new circumstances. She could have moped, been depressed, and lived in the past . . . rather she chose to experience life in the world in new and different ways. She went to Europe (England) for the first time in March with very close friends, and just returned from Peru two weeks ago (even closer friends). Then last Saturday she came to Raeford to make a tandem with me! It was definitely the highlight of my tandem career thus far. She is 75, so I had been a little nervous about it prior to jump day. Once that day arrived though, I was quite relaxed and enjoyed it almost as much as she did! She said it was an over-the-top experience, and commented about the obvious camaraderie that skydivers share. She was very appreciative of the way everyone included her in that, especially on the ride to altitude. Our only difficulty being a practice exit in the mockup! I want to thank Tony Thacker (TonyT) for the gracious Raeford hospitality, and Arvel Shults (BlueSBDeath) for the crafty camerawork. You s made her experience a special one, and I greatly appreciate it! My only regret is that I let her get away without buying her case of beer! Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #2 June 9, 2005 Way cool! Great pics! Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpergirl 0 #3 June 9, 2005 Awesome!! I'm so glad you got to experience that with your mom!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites NickDG 23 #4 June 9, 2005 Perfect, that's what tandem is all about. Good on you both . . . NickD BASE 194 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites scaryshari 0 #5 June 9, 2005 How wonderful!!!! is Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites uponone 0 #6 June 9, 2005 I love seeing pics like the 1st one. That feeling you get looking out of the plane right before you jump. I can see her taking in a deep breath and saying "oh shit" in her head. Priceless. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites airdvr 210 #7 June 9, 2005 I actually prefer the last one. You can see the love Mom has for her son.Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Deuce 1 #8 June 9, 2005 I'm envious. Very, very cool. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SniperCJ 0 #9 June 10, 2005 Man I wish I could get my Mom to do a tandem with me!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites BlueSBDeath 2 #10 June 10, 2005 John, It was my pleasure to jump with you both!! I could see the FEAR in her face, yet the confidence in her eyes as you two got to the door. I know she had a great time and I am proud you let me be a part of it. Congratulations!!! Thanks for sharing your special experience with me. ArvelBSBD...........Its all about Respect, USPA#-7062, FB-2197, Outlaw 499 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sid 1 #11 June 10, 2005 that was baddass John - nice job!!!!!!!!Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JohnMitchell 16 #12 June 10, 2005 What a cool mom. She has a beautiful smile in freefall. My dad's gone with me but not my mom yet. Maybe someday. Wish your mom the best from all of us jumpers out here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites EDYDO 0 #13 June 10, 2005 My mom started supporting my jumping after 35 years. I don't expect her to go as far as to actually make a jump, but I am forwarding the pix to her. Between you and Arvel, she was in the best of hands. Congratulations to all of you!!! Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bbarnhouse 0 #14 June 10, 2005 John, What a wonderful experience for both of you! You had the oppotunity to experience your Mothers freedom, while she has a better understanding of why you do what you do. What a great gift you have given each other. Well done. X's and O's B2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bodypilot1 0 #15 June 10, 2005 AWESOME! Your mom looks great for being 75! And you should be greatfull she kept you stable. Be safe. Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MikeForsythe 0 #16 June 10, 2005 John, That is awsome! Now I no where you get your smile from.Time and pressure will always show you who a person really is! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shark 0 #17 June 10, 2005 John, Great pics! Looks like she had a lot of fun, too! Shark out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites lowie 0 #18 June 10, 2005 In almost every tandem vid I have seen there is about a 10sec delay after exit before the ear to ear grin breaks out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites huka551 0 #19 June 10, 2005 Great Pix! It looks like a beautiful day, wheather, love, bonding! Very sweet! Muff Brother 3723 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bodypilot1 0 #20 June 10, 2005 QuoteIn almost every tandem vid I have seen there is about a 10sec delay after exit before the ear to ear grin breaks out. Thats because thats normaly how long it takes to get to terminal velocity and the wind stretches their skin back into a smile! Be safe. Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites matthewcline 0 #21 June 12, 2005 I have had the opertunity to do a tandem with my mom and my mother inlaw. Both experiences where fantastic and both ladies want to do more again soon. But what is cooler is the way the yhave been eable to experience some thing with me and understand my enjoyment of it (kind of rare whe nwe all where a bit yunger, remember your teens!) MattAn Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites foxyroxtail 0 #22 June 14, 2005 That is so cool! I love the pic of you kissing the top of her head in freefall - I'm with Deuce - I'm jealous. My dad always wanted to jump, and never got the chance. Your mom will always have that special moment in time (and space!) with you. Fly on! ________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites slug 1 #23 June 14, 2005 Hi SP Choices choices A tandem with a playmate or Mom. IMO You got the better deal than DAGimpYou can tell mom she had the same photo guy as the play mates R.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Irishpub3 0 #24 June 15, 2005 That is really cool =) What awesome pictures! I'm taking my first jump in a couple days... just a little bit nervous... and this thread is really inspiring me!!! "Most people go through life wondering if they’ve made a difference. Marines don’t have that problem." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
NickDG 23 #4 June 9, 2005 Perfect, that's what tandem is all about. Good on you both . . . NickD BASE 194 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scaryshari 0 #5 June 9, 2005 How wonderful!!!! is Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uponone 0 #6 June 9, 2005 I love seeing pics like the 1st one. That feeling you get looking out of the plane right before you jump. I can see her taking in a deep breath and saying "oh shit" in her head. Priceless. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdvr 210 #7 June 9, 2005 I actually prefer the last one. You can see the love Mom has for her son.Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #8 June 9, 2005 I'm envious. Very, very cool. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SniperCJ 0 #9 June 10, 2005 Man I wish I could get my Mom to do a tandem with me!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueSBDeath 2 #10 June 10, 2005 John, It was my pleasure to jump with you both!! I could see the FEAR in her face, yet the confidence in her eyes as you two got to the door. I know she had a great time and I am proud you let me be a part of it. Congratulations!!! Thanks for sharing your special experience with me. ArvelBSBD...........Its all about Respect, USPA#-7062, FB-2197, Outlaw 499 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sid 1 #11 June 10, 2005 that was baddass John - nice job!!!!!!!!Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #12 June 10, 2005 What a cool mom. She has a beautiful smile in freefall. My dad's gone with me but not my mom yet. Maybe someday. Wish your mom the best from all of us jumpers out here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites EDYDO 0 #13 June 10, 2005 My mom started supporting my jumping after 35 years. I don't expect her to go as far as to actually make a jump, but I am forwarding the pix to her. Between you and Arvel, she was in the best of hands. Congratulations to all of you!!! Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bbarnhouse 0 #14 June 10, 2005 John, What a wonderful experience for both of you! You had the oppotunity to experience your Mothers freedom, while she has a better understanding of why you do what you do. What a great gift you have given each other. Well done. X's and O's B2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bodypilot1 0 #15 June 10, 2005 AWESOME! Your mom looks great for being 75! And you should be greatfull she kept you stable. Be safe. Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MikeForsythe 0 #16 June 10, 2005 John, That is awsome! Now I no where you get your smile from.Time and pressure will always show you who a person really is! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shark 0 #17 June 10, 2005 John, Great pics! Looks like she had a lot of fun, too! Shark out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites lowie 0 #18 June 10, 2005 In almost every tandem vid I have seen there is about a 10sec delay after exit before the ear to ear grin breaks out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites huka551 0 #19 June 10, 2005 Great Pix! It looks like a beautiful day, wheather, love, bonding! Very sweet! Muff Brother 3723 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bodypilot1 0 #20 June 10, 2005 QuoteIn almost every tandem vid I have seen there is about a 10sec delay after exit before the ear to ear grin breaks out. Thats because thats normaly how long it takes to get to terminal velocity and the wind stretches their skin back into a smile! Be safe. Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites matthewcline 0 #21 June 12, 2005 I have had the opertunity to do a tandem with my mom and my mother inlaw. Both experiences where fantastic and both ladies want to do more again soon. But what is cooler is the way the yhave been eable to experience some thing with me and understand my enjoyment of it (kind of rare whe nwe all where a bit yunger, remember your teens!) MattAn Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites foxyroxtail 0 #22 June 14, 2005 That is so cool! I love the pic of you kissing the top of her head in freefall - I'm with Deuce - I'm jealous. My dad always wanted to jump, and never got the chance. Your mom will always have that special moment in time (and space!) with you. Fly on! ________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites slug 1 #23 June 14, 2005 Hi SP Choices choices A tandem with a playmate or Mom. IMO You got the better deal than DAGimpYou can tell mom she had the same photo guy as the play mates R.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Irishpub3 0 #24 June 15, 2005 That is really cool =) What awesome pictures! I'm taking my first jump in a couple days... just a little bit nervous... and this thread is really inspiring me!!! "Most people go through life wondering if they’ve made a difference. Marines don’t have that problem." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
EDYDO 0 #13 June 10, 2005 My mom started supporting my jumping after 35 years. I don't expect her to go as far as to actually make a jump, but I am forwarding the pix to her. Between you and Arvel, she was in the best of hands. Congratulations to all of you!!! Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #14 June 10, 2005 John, What a wonderful experience for both of you! You had the oppotunity to experience your Mothers freedom, while she has a better understanding of why you do what you do. What a great gift you have given each other. Well done. X's and O's B2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #15 June 10, 2005 AWESOME! Your mom looks great for being 75! And you should be greatfull she kept you stable. Be safe. Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeForsythe 0 #16 June 10, 2005 John, That is awsome! Now I no where you get your smile from.Time and pressure will always show you who a person really is! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #17 June 10, 2005 John, Great pics! Looks like she had a lot of fun, too! Shark out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lowie 0 #18 June 10, 2005 In almost every tandem vid I have seen there is about a 10sec delay after exit before the ear to ear grin breaks out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huka551 0 #19 June 10, 2005 Great Pix! It looks like a beautiful day, wheather, love, bonding! Very sweet! Muff Brother 3723 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #20 June 10, 2005 QuoteIn almost every tandem vid I have seen there is about a 10sec delay after exit before the ear to ear grin breaks out. Thats because thats normaly how long it takes to get to terminal velocity and the wind stretches their skin back into a smile! Be safe. Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matthewcline 0 #21 June 12, 2005 I have had the opertunity to do a tandem with my mom and my mother inlaw. Both experiences where fantastic and both ladies want to do more again soon. But what is cooler is the way the yhave been eable to experience some thing with me and understand my enjoyment of it (kind of rare whe nwe all where a bit yunger, remember your teens!) MattAn Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foxyroxtail 0 #22 June 14, 2005 That is so cool! I love the pic of you kissing the top of her head in freefall - I'm with Deuce - I'm jealous. My dad always wanted to jump, and never got the chance. Your mom will always have that special moment in time (and space!) with you. Fly on! ________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slug 1 #23 June 14, 2005 Hi SP Choices choices A tandem with a playmate or Mom. IMO You got the better deal than DAGimpYou can tell mom she had the same photo guy as the play mates R.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Irishpub3 0 #24 June 15, 2005 That is really cool =) What awesome pictures! I'm taking my first jump in a couple days... just a little bit nervous... and this thread is really inspiring me!!! "Most people go through life wondering if they’ve made a difference. Marines don’t have that problem." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites