Take the Plunge

I’ve been contemplating my life of ‘firsts’, which simply defined is the first time you try something. Such ‘firsts’ can be a fresh experience so exhilarating words cannot describe them. These adventures can be played out in safe conditions or be taken to an increased level of risk. There is the joy of manipulating yarn around a hook to create a lovely lap creation and there is the joy of tying on those hiking boots and summiting the mountain.

Well, I always wanted to be an astronaut. Leave this blue-green ball to exciting places in far away Milky Ways. And maybe I would be the first woman to explore such territory, bringing my own sense of style. College curriculum was loaded with science and math classes including dreaded chemistry and physics. Did I really have to learn all this stuff?

But the excitement of aeronautics pumped through my veins. Ample coverage of Moon landings glued me to the blue screen adjusting those rabbit ears just so. I wanted to taste this thrill. So I joined a sky diving club. The focus seriously covered the ramifications of this sport. But often I zoned out, anticipating the free fall from the plane, flying with the wind rushing at my face, enveloped in wispy clouds. Quickly grasping the hands of other divers, a circle would form . . . just moments before the ripcord of the parachute was pulled.

Exhilarating.

The day of the jump finally arrived. With shaky nerves I gingerly packed my parachute and donned the uniform. Did I do everything right? I stood before the plane watching the sky divers climb on board. I froze. I figured out how upset my family would be “when I told them I was dead.”

Flight lessons were next. Where I sat as a trainee in the cockpit, the professional pilot doing most of the work—really all of it, who am I kidding here— as the heavy bird is carried into the sky and stayed there. Then I experienced the fabulous soaring which left me breathless. Even the dips of wind turbulence were exciting. Soon came the landing with the understanding that this is the hardest maneuver of all. With just two hours of experience, I willing yielded to the seasoned pilot beside me. And prayed.

When I relayed these escapades, my friends gasped. Why are you doing these things; have you lost your mind? They cajoled me by saying I was a great friend, always loyal, candid, and most of all a good listener— I was good at hearing people out and helping them with their problems. That maybe soaring the friendly skies wasn’t for me; perhaps, a career helping others would be. What?

Initially I balked. Social Work instead of NASA? Then an interesting opportunity landed before me . . . volunteering at a nearby rehabilitation center. Dominos played out just right. First I met a handicapped fellow who introduced me to patients at a facility and we all quickly became friends. They also encouraged me to work with people. But really could a friendly meandering actually be turned into a lifetime profession? All this needling finally budged me. Realizing additional elective were required, I signed up for a single psychology course

Wouldn’t you know I loved it. And took more so that. . . .

But that is another story and this is a brief commentary on ‘firsts.’ I relayed just a few but sometimes an entire buffet entices—adventure beckons. There is a volley between quests that are chased and some that just happen; between those that thoroughly fulfill and those that seemingly may not. But every so often, there is an opportunity to try something new, make it a first and take a plunge. Like the plunge I am taking right now.

…and that’s how I live it.