Last Thrusday was Pam's 70^th birthday. For many years she has said that "someday" she was going to try skydiving. About two years ago she began to mention that perhaps as a part of her "bucket list" she might just make that skydive to celebrate her turning 70. Our oldest son is a former paratrooper and when he got wind of his mom's wish, he took it upon himself to make that happen. Together with his two brothers he located a very good skydiving school and aranged for Pam to get her wish. On her birthday, our son persenter her with a gift certificate from Kapowsin Jump School for a tandem skydive with pictures and video tape. Yesterday was her big day. I do believe that it was a success as she is still glowing from the experience and pouring over the pictures.

As an observer and sidline photographer, I find it very difficult to believe that one could find a better place for such a once in a lifetime experience. The only physical reminder that Pam has today from the experience is a slight tenderness from the straps of the support harness. Her instructor took her completely through the experience, talking her all of the way and protecting her from even the slightest bump. In addition, the photographer who jumped with them was a talented enough skydiver & photographer to get pictures from below, then above, then at the same level and back down from below again. They gave her a video of the entire free-fall part as well as more than 80 still photographs, all in digital immage and with no copy restrictions. What a marvelous day she had!