I have signed up for the Blogher network NaBloPoMo June challenge. (National Blog Post Month) I am still learning what is involved, but basically, it is to post every day in June. There are various writing prompts to incorporate into posts. The first one is “Jump”. The question is, “What comes to mind when the word “jump” is said”?
Way back before I became a Grandma, I led youth group activities with church. Just because I am now older, does not mean my heart has departed from working with teens. So, now I am involved in some events, but not full time as previously.
JUMP, reminds me of the 2010 teen fall retreat at Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters camp just outside of Murphy, South Carolina. It is an action packed challenge activity camp, with dedicated leaders, and a super staff, that engage the teens to become more confident, and find a closer walk with the Lord.
I have never been the athletic type. You know…chosen last for the gym class team. But one of the challenges was a zip line. I was determined to conquer my fear, and go on the zip line. Complicating the situation was the fact that I was still recovering from a broken kneecap. Still doing the stiff knee walk.
The hardest physical challenge for me was walking up the crude trail to the top where the platform was for the zip line. I made it by grasping on to small trees to give me a little more leverage, and pull me up. The step getting onto the platform wasn’t as difficult as it looked. But now here I was standing on a platform high in the air. Not by myself, but with the staffer who made sure I was harnessed and hooked up properly. The fear factor definitely kicked in full speed. I accessed the situation. One option was to get off the platform and go back down the steep, slippery hill. If you have ever had an injured knee, you know that going down a steep hill is harder than going up. The other option was to follow through, and ride the zip line. Also, I didn’t want to fail my part of the bargain for a teen girl still on the ground, who told me, “If you do it, I will do it.”
I started hearing, “Just Jump”, first from the staffer, then from the ground below. Okay, okay, I will. So I jumped up, and put my legs out in front of me. I promptly landed on my bottom, still on the platform. Embarrassing… but from my non – athletic background, other such embarrassing things have happened to me through life.
“No, jump off the platform”! After I was helped up. I managed to jump off the end of the platform. I flew through the air with the greatest of ease! I thought I would close my eyes through the ride, but found it so free, and exhilarating, that I opened my eyes.
I would do it again. Maybe somewhere like Costa Rica??
To see a short video clip of me on the zip line, go to my Globe Trottin Granny FB page.
While you are there, I need some “Likes”.
Globe Trottin Granny