Why? - Bonnie Dutile

I first ran into Bonnie Dutile on rec.skydiving when she had just started jumping, and was running down the hills of San Francisco with her arms in a delta and exhibiting other symptoms that we all recognize.

Then one day she posted this. I thought it really captured the answer to the question.

From: (DZvagaBON)
Subject: Why do you skydive (apology)
Date: 17 Dec 1995 19:15:11 -0500

My hasty response to this question was not well received.  In an
effort to redeem myself, I offer you this as an answer to your
question:

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Why did you climb all the way up here, if you didn't want to look
over the edge?  Don't you want to see what it looks like?", I asked.

"Bonnie....please stand back a little further.  You're making me
nervous.", he offered me this instead of an answer to my question.
But then I already knew the answer didn't I?  He climbed all the
way up here......merely to say that he had done it.

"Come here.", I said.  "Take my hand.  Just take ONE look.  It's
absolutely beautiful.  Then I'll walk back to safer ground with you."

"I'll take your word for it.", he said.  "If you say it's beautiful,
it must be.  Now come with me, we have a long hike down."

The look in my eyes, and the smile on my face could only be understood
by those who "know".  "You have a long hike down.", I replied.  "I
love you anyway."  I turned.   I jumped.  I saw everything he saw
on the way down.....only I saw it 100 times faster, yet 1000 times
clearer.  I waited for him at the bottom.  I waited a long time.
I spotted another mountain to climb.  Perhaps I'll see him at the
top......but then again....maybe not.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-