Ground Shot before Mom's Tandem

When I first started skydiving at Skydive Orange, my mom was one of my cheerleaders. Everyone else was telling me it was dangerous, but she encouraged me! After I broke my ankle on my 4th AFF jump, my mom's first question was "When can you go back?" Apparently, broken ankles are "my thing", what's the big deal?

AlecSince I started jumping in 2004, my mom said she wanted to go. She wasn't like some of my other friends. It's amazing how many people say they want to do it, but in the end they decide to keep their feet on the ground. It was different with my mom. She said it like she meant it, but there were obstacles.

At first, she was having glaucoma pain in her eye - a result of scar tissue from a radium plaque treatment for eye cancer. Eventually, she had her right eye REMOVED! After six months, she got a prosthetic eye, but that kept getting infected. Add in a bunch of other stuff  - timing, weather, dad's health issues - it seemed like it may never happen.

About six months ago, I asked my mom if she'd like to come along on my 800th and was thrilled when she said yes. Having never jumped with a tandem, I did a few practice jumps to make sure I'd be able to stay with them. I also started jumping more because I didn't want my 800th to be in winter like my 700th! When I told Alec (my son) that his Nanny was going, he decided that he also wanted to do a tandem.

I was SO excited about Alec coming along, but I was bummed because I couldn't jump with them both. Matt decided to go with him instead of going with me and my mom. It was strange that Matt wouldn't be on my 800th and I wouldn't be on Alec's first tandem, but at least we'd all be on the plane together!

Alec's girlfriend, Whitney, and her son Russell came along to watch from the ground. When I mentioned it to Jennifer and Julie, they both decided to come out as well.  Russell and Ethan had a great time playing together. I'm so happy they were able to come out!

Everyone at Skydive Orange made the experience awesome!  I was thrilled when I found out that Mario would be her tandem instructor. We've known Mario for a long time - he was one of Matt's AFF instructors! My mom was having some problems with her knees so Mario told her that they would do a roll out exit in lieu of a squating exit. Perfect!

Before we boarded, my mom decided to remove her fake eye. She was worried it would pop out in freefall. I wish she would have given me more notice because it would have been super cool to make her a funky patch to cover up the eye spot. Oh well...we used some guaze and tape and that worked just fine. During her pre-jump interview, David W. asked my mom how long it took me to convince her to go.  She said, "800 jumps." Just 800 jumps...10 years or so. LOL.

Since it was my 800th, two of my friends from Orange came along to jump with me and mom. We also had two videographers - nine slots on the plane!

Family on the plane

Mom and Mario at the door and me hanging on the outside of the plane waiting to leave.

Mom's exit

Once we were out of the plane, it was hard to stay them because my mom kept her arms in the safety position and balled up underneath Mario.  They were going 139 MPH with the drogue! Mario kept signaling for her to release, but she didn't do it right way.

Mom safety position

Eventually, Chad and I caught up with them and David W. got a shot of us together.  However, my mom had no camera awareness!

Sarah, Mom, Mario and Chad

Alec was a little more into camera awareness and was looking at Phil when Matt was docking.

Matt, Alec & Jim

After they landed, I asked Mom what she thought.  She said it was "Awesome!", but didn't need to do it again - once was enough.

Our day ended with a trip to the Silk Mill for dinner. Jennifer, Julie, and Ethan joined our family and we had a nice relaxing meal before heading back to the house. Thank you Ned (Skydive Orange) for making this day possible! You are my favorite Uncle!