It's amazing how quickly we can be transported back in time by something as simple as a whiff of smoke on the morning breeze or the song playing on the radio. As I drove into work early this morning I was busy thinking about what I needed to accomplish in my day and trying to remain calm as the other drivers on the road weaved in and out of traffic. I was wrapped up in present and future thoughts and was totally taken by surprise when my brain switched gears on me mid thought.
As I neared M-59 the radio station I was listening to began to play a song I hadn't heard in a while and I was immediately taken back to another place and time. I was standing atop the rappelling tower at Camp rotary in the winter of 1994. Mrs. Wehithead and Mr. Cairy were both there with me and, to keep themselves entertained had taken a radio up with them. As Mr. Cairy finished securing my safety lines the volume of the radio was turned up. "And it's a long day, living in Reseda There's a freeway running through the yard." I recognized the irony of the song it was playing immediately. As they both laughed aloud all I could do was smile and shake my head. I stepped to the edge of the tower, turned my back to the outside world, and stood on the top edge with just my tip toes leaning backwards until my feet were flat against the wall.
"And I'm free, free fallin' Yeah I 'm free, free fallin'" As I began my decent I looked up to see both Mrs. Whitehead and Mr. Cairy standing atop the rappelling tower, arm in arm, singing the chorus to Tom Petty's Free Falling at the top of their lungs. I laughed so hard I stopped paying attention and tightened my grip on the rappel line to quickly. I slammed into the wall sideways and laughed until tears were streaming down my cheeks. Eventually I gathered my composure and, uninjured managed to finish the rappel landing safely on the ground wiping tears from my face.
It's been years since that day and I've heard that song a million times since, every one reminds me of that same moment in time and of and old friend. On belay?
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