My brother and I grew up on a very busy street in Springfield. I don’t know when we started doing it, in my mind it somehow relates to watching Mary Poppins, but we thought that you might really be able to fly with umbrellas. And we didn’t have regular size umbrellas, we had those huge monstrosities of umbrellas. So big and wonderful that if left on the front porch they would be stolen by people walking by.

We used to climb over the porch railing with the umbrellas held up high and jump. When that didn’t work we would wait for a windy day and run as fast as possible down the sidewalk, hand squeezing that handle so tight, and hope to lift off.

I wonder now what the neighbors and the people driving by used to think.

There was always that moment, on the really windy days, just when we were about to jump that we would think, “Maybe this is it, maybe this time it will work.” That little thrill when it seemed to take us a second longer before we crashed to the ground. We would climb onto the railing and leap from higher heights.

I feel like I am that kid again, perched on the rail, and maybe just maybe my feet won’t hit the ground.

I am jumping.

I am back in school. Yes, that’s right, school. I was accepted into a competitive program, I just finished my first week of classes, I have a career path. I have a plan. I am excited and nervous and impatient all at the same time and so much more. I am terrified that I don’t remember how to study. How does one study? How do you write papers? Someone please tell me that it’s like riding a bike. It’s just been so long.

I am almost another year older. Tomorrow I will be twenty-eight. Where does the time go?

Although, I certainly don’t look my age. On our way to Myrtle Beach, a couple of weeks ago, I was asked what year of high school I am in. I’m sure that when I am thirty-seven I will be very pleased to look like I’m twenty-seven. Only one more day left of being twenty-seven.

I have a plan.

I am jumping.

So keep an eye out your window, and maybe just maybe you’ll see me flying away with an umbrella in my hand.