Larry J. Fontana
9 October 2009
Adventure at 14,000 Feet
The idea of skydiving has been in my thoughts for many years, yet for one reason or another it was never the right time or place. I imagined how I would feel at the moment just before the big leap tossing my body out of a perfectly good airplane. At times I wondered if it could also end up like a cheap two-dollar carnival ride; however, in the end I knew all the thinking and wondering was moot. The only thing I really knew for certain was if I looked back on my life without having accomplished this goal I would regret it. So the big question was never if I was going to skydive, it was always a question of when!
Finally the day arrived in the fall of October 2004 through an amazing set of synchronicities — no thinking, no hesitating and no wondering. It was time! Little did I realize what began as a ‘bucket list’ skydiving adventure would become an astonishing personal experience that enhanced my appreciation of the marvel and meaning of life.
I leaped out of bed wide awake on the morning of my Birthday and it hit me like a bullet; I want to skydive and I want to do it today! I grabbed the phone and called the number from the flyer on my bookshelf. John answered the phone, “Hello, Skydive the Rockies, John here can I help you?” I replied, “Hi John, this is Larry, we have spoken a few times about skydiving. I realize this is very last minute but is there any chance you could fit me in today?”
I pondered waiting for John’s answer. I knew there would be a short window of time for me to get there, skydive and be back in time for the party. It would have to be around eleven!
John replied, “Larry, it is a very tight schedule today but I do have one spot available at eleven o’clock.” I smiled from ear to ear, “That is perfect John! Thank you so much I will see you then.”
I flopped back on my bed feeling like the cat that ate the canary. All my doubts, hesitation, and even the decision I made just yesterday to forget about the whole thing simply faded away. Lying there with a big fat grin on my face I heard a whisper, “Happy Birthday Larry”, and a tear rolled down my cheek.
I was on cloud-nine the entire drive to the skydiving school. It was a beautiful fall day of blue skies, white puffy clouds, snow capped mountains and a slight chill in the air. It was a view worthy of becoming a postcard. I was a captivated by the entire scene as I arrived at the school including the smell of dust from the dirt road, small airplanes flying around, windsocks flapping in the breeze and the sky’s beckoning invitation. It was at this moment I realized I was no longer thinking from outside of the experience; I had entered into the realm of the experience itself, and it felt awesome!
The excitement and tension was pulsing through my body as I approached a group of people standing outside the hanger door. The group was comprised of skydivers in their jumpsuits, instructors giving last minute advice, pilots, ground crew and numerous onlookers. I noticed every nuance including the smell of gasoline, the wind at my back, the expressions on people’s faces and the sight and sound of an airplane as it lifted off into the sky transporting a group of skydivers. All I could do was imagine the experience they were having at that moment; however, my turn was about to come!
Nancy the ground coordinator called four names including mine to come over to a long wobbly table just inside the hanger door to begin our orientation. I never imagined how much paperwork would be involved. I must have signed and initialed fifty times waiving every imaginable legal right known to man. In the end everyone from the pilot to the parachute manufacturer to the airplane mechanics could not be held liable for any unfortunate accident. The possibility of injury or death was intensely conveyed through legal documents, videos and very explicit conversations.
Four instructors entered the room deciding who would pair up with each of us skydivers. Three of them looked a little wild and it seemed like they had a touch of party animal in them. The fourth, the one I felt the most connection with, came walking directly over to me and introduced himself as Dave, my instructor. After sharing his vast skydiving experience and personal story with me I felt relieved. I explained that this was a long awaited adventure of mine and my desire was to have a moment of personal reflection at the door of the plane just prior to jumping instead of being pushed out as is typical. He was eager to comply and arranged with the pilot that we would be the first team loaded into the plane so we could be the last to jump.
Finally the commotion settled down long enough for me to reflect on where I was and how I got here. I recalled my powerful inspiration upon waking that morning and knowing that today was the day. The synchronicity of only one available skydiving spot at the exact time of the day I needed it. And that my considerate instructor could appreciate and support the personal and spiritual nature of my adventure.
I was snapped back to the present when Nancy came out to speak with us. She shared that the prior group had trouble landing because of the wind and there was a good possibility our group would be grounded as she pointed to the windsock that was whipping around harshly. I looked at her and spontaneously said, “Don’t worry, Nancy; I will speak to the wind gods.” I felt the composure of Don Juan in a Carlos Castaneda novel come over me, confident that the wind would cooperate when the time came. We both smiled and Nancy walked away.
About ten minutes later it was our time to fly. The plane was revving its engines and our instructors where checking our harnesses in preparation for our tandem jump. Nancy walked over to me with a curious look on her face as she pointed to the windsock which was now hanging perfectly still as the wind had dropped to near zero mph. She mumbled something about my success with the wind gods and we enjoyed some heartfelt laugher in our shared moment of mystery.
The plane reached our target altitude of fourteen-thousand feet and it was time to disembark. The door of the plane was opened and the first three skydivers exited in rapid sequence. As promised, I was afforded a brief moment of contemplation at the edge of the abyss prior to jumping. As I stood there facing nothing but empty sky I felt a great sense of enthusiasm. Not a glimmer of fear or trepidation prior to taking the leap and plummeting to the ground at 125 miles per hour. The first minute was a free-fall including myself, the instructor strapped to my back, the sky, the wind, and an almost deafening sound as we rapidly approached the ground; all of which created a sense of freedom and trust I had not experienced before.
Partway during the free-fall I was struck by the thought I could actually die today. Any number of things could go wrong and we would simply plummet to our death. Then something very beautiful happened. I began to flash on various people and events from my life, even images of my work and the unfinished business on my desk. Reflections of family, lovers, friendships and experiences were streaming through my minds eye. I became very peaceful and accepted if I died today everything would be fine, everyone would be fine, and I would be fine. I recalled the Native American saying, “today is a good day to die,” which means we are in harmony with all our relations and ready in our mind, heart and spirit to depart this life if it is our destiny — so LIVE to the fullest. In that moment I felt the jerk of our parachute opening and after a brief period of thrashing back and forth we were floating in a most graceful and gentle way without any obstructions or windows which provided an amazing 360 degree panoramic view. I could see the snow capped mountains from the continental divide all the way to New Mexico, and the ground was a beautiful pattern of patchwork. The sound of the wind seemed as if Spirit was speaking directly to my heart and proudly presenting a precious gift.
We floated around in circles about four minutes until we set down perfectly on our feet for a graceful landing. My adrenaline was pumping so much that my entire body was shaking, and the smile on my face could not be contained.
Something special happened to me that day something very beautiful and healing. It was a complete experience, nothing needed to be changed, nothing needed to be added, and nothing needed to be removed. This was the first and only time I have skydived, and I have no need to do it again.
Afterwards, in reflection of the entire experience, I was reminded of an interview with journalist Bill Moyers titled, “Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth.” During this interview Joseph referenced what Maslow referred to as, “peak experience”, which refers to actual moments of your life when you experience your relationship to the harmony of being. Campbell went on to describe what he considered a peak experience from his life as a runner. “During the second race, I knew I was going to win even though there was no reason for me to know this, because I was touched off as anchor in the relay with the leading runner thirty yards ahead of me. But I just knew, and it was my peak experience. Nobody could beat me that day.”
The well orchestrated timing and events of this skydiving adventure felt like a peak experience to me. The entire event was wonderful, which began with my clear and unwavering inspiration upon waking that morning; the perfectly timed and available space at the school; the considerate and accommodating instructor; my negotiation with the wind gods; the allowance for a reflective pause prior to my jump; my enthralling free-fall presenting deeply meaningful life moments and the opportunity to embrace peace in the face of death; all wrapped by a perfect landing which brought the entire experience both literally and figuratively home.
There are few truly defining moments, the ones that shape our character and beliefs and enhance the meaning of our life. How we recognize these moments and trust ourselves to embrace their invitation can make a great difference in our lives. I am very thankful that I could recognize and respond to the invitation and the synchronicity of this one. I am grateful to everyone and everything that rose to the occasion and supported the wholeness, meaning and marvel of my experience.
Works Cited
Campbell, Joseph. “The Power of Myth” Interview with Bill Moyers, PBS, 1988
