THE FOOTNOTES

Yeah, that's pretty much what my reaction was when Andy came home a couple of nights ago and held up the certificate you see here. I guess because he's 18 years old, I'm not needed to sign waivers or give permission for many of his activities now.

I didn't get too much info out of him other than it was awesome and he'd love to skydive again.

He also added that the small plane was so creaky and frightening on its climb up to 10,000 feet that he was actually relieved to leap out of it (with the parachute of course).

Apparently the laws have changed because Charlie also went parachuting approximately 30 years ago and at that time you had to have some time in the classroom, learn to pack your own parachute, go over other safety rules, etc but once you passed you were allowed to jump out on your own. Today, at least in Ohio, you cannot go alone but you have an instructor strapped on your back. Andy had no appointment, just walked in and within minutes he was in the sky.

Andy's buddy was also in the plane with him and was to go second after Andy. We think he may have had some second thoughts because all he said was that once Andy jumped out of the plane he simply dropped like a rock. His friend went anyway and another friend went up in another small plane at the same time.

It's probably a good thing I didn't know anything about it until it was over!

P.S. We are having computer problems and I have not yet been able to load the graduation pictures on to post but I will keep working on a solution. Also, my speakers are not working either and I was not able to hear Matt's impressive documentary project about the greatest generation but I am looking forward to that. Quite frustrating.