Something Sweet with Susan

Most of my blog posts have related to serious life events so I thought it would be fun to show you that I don’t stay bogged down in illness all the time. I strive daily to enjoy life. It’s not uncommon for my friends and family to shake their heads and say, “What’s next?”  

A planned visit with my son in Florida last fall turned out to be more than I could have imagined.  Adam wanted to take me to his tattoo artist friend for my Faith tattoo that was pictured in my last post.  Adam was certain I would be happy with John’s work. We waited several months for this visit until my cardiologist told me I could stop taking my blood thinner. (A blood thinner prescription is a standard procedure for 12 months after a heart stent)

Two weeks before my trip Adam called and asked, “Mom, what else is on your bucket list that we can check off while you’re here?”  Skydiving was the first thing that came to my mind.   The house where I grew up was close to a small airport and during my childhood years my friends and I would frequently see skydivers when we were playing outside in the summer months.  When Adam was in his 20’s, he took up recreational skydiving and he has over 80 solo jumps. I had total trust in letting him plan this for me. I could hardly contain my excitement. 

I believe one of the things that leads to a fulfilling life comes from having a list of the things you want to do during your lifetime.  Some call it a Bucket List.  In my Financial Advisor career we always said goals need to be written – otherwise they are just a dream.  Skydiving was not something I had ever written on a list, it certainly was not a goal. I would say it was something I dreamed of doing someday.  

I’m actually not a thrill seeker as you might think, but skydiving was the most exhilarating thing I’ve ever experienced.  Being above the clouds, seeing God’s creation from 13,500 feet combined with feeling like a bird floating through the sky was an experience I cannot put into words.  

My advice for today – make your list. Remember, write it on paper and put it where you will see it monthly or annually.  Prioritize your items and set a date for the first three items on your list. Don’t let life pass you by.  After my brother’s recent bypass surgery my sister-in-law said to me, “Last night I kept thinking, we’ve never taken that trip to Hawaii we always talked about.”  They are currently working on a plan to make it happen. 

I wouldn’t take anything for my skydiving experience and getting to spend that day with my son and his children. As a side note, I did not tell my husband I was going skydiving until it was over.  Adam told me he was pretty sure Greg would never agree to another Mother/Son trip once he found out what I had done.  Greg was not at all happy about it at first, but later he did admit to being proud of me. 

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
Matthew 6:26-27

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9

I hope you enjoy the video . . .

*Pictured above: Tandem Dude Sean, 3 of my 8 grandchildren, my son-Adam