Seize the Day

I can't do it, I thought, as I slowly placed my foot on the ledge outside the door. But, by then, it was too late. I was falling. On instinct, I let out a scream that no one--not even myself--could hear, and my body fell from the airplane at 12,000 feet. My tandem skydiving instructor had shoved us both out the door as soon as I had made that first step. As the wind tore across my body, I could hardly see or breathe during that full minute of free fall. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. But, once the instructor pulled the cord and the parachute opened, I was able to breathe deep, look out, and take in the amazing view around me. We silently drifted downward, and I gazed out at the beautiful blue mountains, rich green fields, sparkling rivers, and peaceful community below. I even had a few minutes when I took the ropes and controlled our course. When we finally touched ground, my brain started to comprehend the crazy feat I had just survived--going skydiving with a friend of mine to celebrate his four months without a drink. This is just one of the wild things I have done in sobriety.