Jump!

When you are happy and you know it clap your hands….  Clap! Clap!

When you are happy and you know it jump up high …. Jump! Jump!

She had been dreaming of this moment for days, weeks and probably years! To jump up high!

As she sat at the edge, wind ruffling her hair, clothes, and everything else, she could barely make out what was being said, desperately trying to recall all that she had been told, instructions for all the dos and don’ts. Then it was her turn to jump out; looking at her tandem partner, coach, lifeline she smiled or so she thought, she said her prayers and prepared herself.

In a flash she was back in the war. Such fierce fighting and division of the modern world into two teams had been witnessed only once before. She, a robust youngster, healthy, intelligent, and fearless soon found herself in the army, going to war for her country. It was the middle of the night, cold, dark, and uncertain when she was roused from her bunker and summoned to the Commanding Officer. Along with her buddy, she was entrusted with penetrating deep behind enemy lines and setting up obstructions to delay their forward march. It would give them time to get reinforcements, as well as establish their meagre resources for maximum impact. After a smart salute, they  gathered what they needed and jumping on to their horses, galloped off. That leap of faith had saved countless of her regimental brothers, and their bravery was duly acknowledged in time.

At the signal from Coach, she took the leap and jumped into the clear blue sky, at a height of nearly 14,000 feet. The cool breeze against her face was reassuring, a feeling of weightlessness engulfed her, and the view simply took her breath away.

As she peered through the glasses, she could see the vast expanse of the rolling meadows, the thick green carpet of the coniferous trees and in the horizon the brilliant blue of the sea. Naturally, she stretched her arms wide, as if to collect it all and hold on to it for a lifetime. Calmness seeped through and she felt at her spiritual best.

There she was, spinning to the left, spinning to the right and then spinning round and round. Feeling absolutely safe in the knowledge that her coach cum tandem sky diver had already done more than 4000 jumps. Ah, if he would land him safely in the highest jump she had ever made, wouldn’t the Divine?

Looking at the fluffy white clouds floating past overhead like fat sheep, in the bluest of skies, she couldn’t help remembering all the games she played at their farm in her childhood. Her favourites were Hopscotch, Jumpsies and leapfrog and of course jumping the rope too. All the time running and jumping. They had also invented jump the ditch…. And a smile stole across her face!

It was her birthday the loving family had come together to celebrate! She looked around again, as she now comfortably drifted down, as if locking away these moments to bring out at leisure. Soon the field where her family awaited came very clearly into view, and she could see the verdant green grass peppered with sunny yellow dandelions and snowy white daisies, waving to her.

The landing was soft, comfortable and a welcome back to Mother Earth. She gave a high five to Coach, and a big tight hug as he helped her up. Her silvery hair gleaming in the bright sunshine, as he helped her towards her family waiting to uncork the champagne, next to her wheelchair with a cake that said…. Happy 75^th!

Her cheerful grandson was singing the song, ‘I had a dream so big and loud, I jumped so high I touched the clouds….’ ( American authors; Best day of my life)