My mind came alive for the first time in years. The extreme rush of feeling weightless, yet helpless. Leaping out of an airplane, with only a parachute to save your life. It may seem strange, but only to those who not dare attempt. The high winds crashing into my whole being, created by the maximum velocity that I had just reached. The birds don’t know how lucky they truly are.

I don’t know what really made me want to try this death defying act, but I am glad I did. I now know what life is all about, and my mind is calm, body relaxed and soul becoming rejuvenated. Why didn’t I do this sooner, I tell myself. My face is rippling from the wind and my smile is being stretched further than its ever been, even considering my unsettling fear of heights. I feel my heart pounding against the walls of my throat, but I know it will be over soon and will probably want to go again.

Well, the time has come for me to pull the rip-cord attached to my backpack, and release my chute, ending my free fall. When I took my parachuting lesson, I remember one guy asking the odds of their chute not opening. They had assured us that there will be no problems and that they inspect the gear before every jump. The lead jumper had informed us that there had not been even one time, where someones chute didn’t open. Well, I had grown up my whole life being an exception for everything, so why stop now.