I am the semi-neurotic mother of three kids, ages 18, 8 and 5. My oldest is off to college and my youngest just started school. I’ve been the single mom, divorced mom, married mom, young mom, old mom, career mom, and attends school-at-night mom. I’ve worked in the IT world for almost two decades, but still shy from programming cell phones. I have no free time, but when I do…I write or read or plan our next vacation or holler at whomever to give me some PEACE AND QUIET.
Sky Falling
Remember the story of Icarus? He grew feathers, tried out the flying thing, kept going higher and higher, getting closer to the steaming hot sun, even though his dad said that wasn’t a good idea (imagine that, kids not listening to their parents?). That story did not have a happy ending.
My son turned into a legal (not mental) adult last week. To mark the occasion he decided, against my better wishes, to go sky-diving (you know, the not-listening-to-parents thing).
Urp.
He took a 60-minute training course which involved a 10-minute legal disclaimer video and some waving-like-the-Queen practicing with his tandem partner. I felt so much better after he was fully trained! Then, his group hopped onto this teeny prop plane that looked like it wouldn’t make it off the ground. I nervously filmed what I thought were his last goodbyes.
They flew up to 14,000 feet which is a bit close to the sun for my comfort, and then jumped. Less than 10 minutes later he was floating to the ground, whooping with joy, very much in one piece.
Like Icarus he flew too close to the sun and stretched his new-found wings. Unlike Icarus, it had a happy ending and he’s now looking forward to more death-defying stunts in his young adult-hood. Meanwhile I will bite my tongue and try to keep my opinions to myself.
Maybe Icarus’ father should’ve thought of that!
