The Dream of Flying!
Flying has been one of humanity's oldest dreams.
Who hasn't dreamed of soaring high up in the beautiful blue skies like a happy bird?!
When I was a child, I dreamed that I was a bird. I gently flew, gliding through the skies! I could feel the cold breeze brushing against my face. Seeing life from a different perspective, from top to bottom, was a truly unique experience—I felt a sense of freedom, happiness, and empowerment.
The endless horizon, the apparent line where the sky appears to touch the Earth, was adorned like a dazzling diamond necklace and mesmerizing! The dream felt so real that it remains one of the most vivid dreams I have ever had. Today, "The Dream of Flying" (O Sonho de Voar!) is the name of one of my beautiful poems.
I grew up in my parents' land "Castelo Sítio". A large farm in the backlands of Maranhão, my state homeland, in the Northeast of Brazil — A rural area with a tropical climate cut by the Equator line.
The heavy daily rains, at 3:00 pm accompanied by lightning and thunder, generally lasted only 15 minutes and would suddenly stop, allowing the warm sun to return and shine again. An amusing aspect was that whenever we planned to meet friends in the afternoon, we used to say, "See you later after the rain... or before the rain. One of my favorite memories is showering in the rain, enjoying the beautiful rainbows, and feeling the pleasant smell of geosmin—the scent of the wet earth's Petrichor after the rain.
What does it mean to be constantly "outside your age?"
When I was a child, people said I had an "old soul," someone who thought big, 'outside the box.' Today, as an adult, people say I have childish attitudes.
My responsibility at Castelo Sítio was to manually check the daily rain gauge readings and record them in the "BB-Big Book. The hydrometer provides accurate measurements of the volume and temperature of rainwater. The rainfall intensity at Castelo Sítio was always consistently very high.
​
This was my father's role, and he quickly became my greatest source of inspiration and support. He guided me through the complexities of the system, empowering me to tackle tasks I had never thought I could manage. As I immersed myself in this world, my enthusiasm blossomed, and by the age of just five, I began to exceed expectations. Receiving praise from everyone filled him with pride for the work I was accomplishing.
​
My father opened a bank savings account to deposit the cash he provided me for my job. A year later, feeling very proud, I decided to buy my new bike and Christmas presents for everyone at home with my own money. However, when the accountant returned from the bank, he had disappointing news. The banker informed him that inflation had devalued my cash. Since my account was in the red, the banker advised me to make a deposit as soon as possible to cover the debt with the bank and avoid having my name listed in the Credit Protection Service (SPC) as having bad credit.
​
My father made a new deposit, but I was indignant and unable to stop crying, convinced that the bank had somehow stolen the money I had earned from my very first work in life. As my father gently wiped away my tears, it was a profoundly heartbreaking moment, shared by everyone at home who witnessed my distress over what felt like an unimaginable loss. My father kindly insisted that we forget about the situation.
Castelo Sítio is home to a vast natural forest of babassu coconut palm trees, a species native to Brazil. These palms are influenced by three climate types: equatorial, semi-arid, and tropical. Approximately 90 percent of the babassu coconut palm tree forests in Brazil are located in Maranhão, my home state. Palms can grow up to 60 feet tall, and they grow naturally without cultivation.
The babassu coconut is a versatile resource, with its oil serving as a key ingredient in the production of a wide range of products. These include soaps, cosmetics, margarines, special fats, and cooking oils. Furthermore, coconut powder, rich in starch, is a staple ingredient in regional dishes and the production of highly nutritious vegetable drinks, such as milk. The almond is also an ingredient in vinegar and the alcoholic drink Cachaça. This astounding versatility showcases the babassu coconut's richness and its potential to contribute to various industries and jobs..
Big Family
At the Castelo Sítio, I grew up in a large, loving family. I lived with my parents, three sisters, two brothers, and my paternal grandparents, Grandpa Christiano and Grandma MA—Maria dos Anjos. Throughout my life, I have never met anyone who didn't love my parents and grandparents. They were cherished by everyone who knew them.
My grandparents, my father, and my two brothers - Naciff & Neiff -, have all passed away. My father was well-known as "Chico Cristo." The "Chico" in his nickname originated because there were many other men named Francisco, while "Cristo" was taken from his father's name, Cristiano. It was essentially a variation of "Chico from Cristo." I have never met anyone as honest and kind as he was. His personality was truly unique, rare, and remarkable. I was his favorite daughter, and I walked with him up and down. He taught me to drive, and by the age of seven, I was already driving all the vehicles at Castelo Sítio, including tractors, trucks, and jeeps. He was the best father a daughter could ever ask for. No one has ever loved me more than he did. I miss him tremendously.
Mimosa, a nickname that has resonated with warmth and charm throughout her long life, perfectly embodies my mother. A retired teacher in Fine Arts, her magnetic personality captivates everyone around her, effortlessly winning hearts. Known for her flexibility, approachability, and enviable body shape, Mimosa turns heads wherever she goes. The famous and delicious drink "Mimosa"—a mix of champagne, orange juice, and ice—has been a favorite drink at home, among us all, for decades.
When asked about the secret to maintaining a fascinating married life for so long, she chuckles, "Life isn't always as rosy as it seems: for all these years of marriage, I can hardly wear my high-heeled sandals because I'm taller than my husband!" Her spontaneous answer brings laughter to everyone in the room.
I affectionately call her ‘Mimozita de Açúcar.’ At 96 years old, she lives alone in her beautiful two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment, just next door to where our family also resides, within the same tower. Twice a week, she has swimming classes with her friends at her condominium. She is always very stylishly dressed and wears accessories that complement her look well. Her nails and hair are professionally maintained at home every week. She is very active; she strolls through the mall for shopping and enjoys ice cream made from natural regional fruits. She hosts friends for afternoon coffee and cake at 4 p.m., unwinds with soap operas in the evening, and enjoys a glass of red wine daily. That’s just a glimpse of her routine.
As a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, she is the queen of five generations and leads a wonderful life, waking up every day to a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean on São Luís Island. She loves parties and consistently tops the guest list for family and friends. “A party without Mimosa isn’t a party,” everyone says.
In May 2025, Mimosa celebrated her 96th birthday with family and many friends.
Chico Cristo & Mimosa were married for 56 years.
The school hours were from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The school was about three miles from home. The school bus picked up us; my brother Neiff, five years older than I, and me at 7:45 a.m. in front of the gate of Castelo Sítio, and dropped us off at 12:30 p.m.
The driver, who owned the bus, was well known in the area. Nobody knew his name because everyone called him by his famous-funny nickname, “Boca-Rica” (Rich-Mouth) - he had all his teeth covered in gold.
After school, I spent the rest of my day running from one side to the other, playing, riding my bike, swimming, and jumping from the highest branches into the cold river waters. When jumping from trees became monotonous, I started jumping from the bridge.
I developed a strong, independent ethic within Castelo Sítio and knew everyone. However, I realized that both my parents and the employees looked after me very carefully, as there was much movement during the week due to the number of trucks coming and going, carrying babassu coconut, vegetables, rice, sugar cane, peanuts, sweet potatoes, bananas, laranja, black pepper, and much more.
As I grew older, around the time I was six years old, I began to act as a "mother" figure to the employees' children who lived in Castelo Sítio Village. Being an extremely active child who was always zigzagging nonstop everywhere, I got the nickname "Miss-Zig-Daia." I wouldn't say I enjoyed the nickname, and I forbade anyone from using it.
My father was my protector and my hero; he would usually gently intervene and put things right when they started to go wrong. Everyone ceased using the nickname at his command. —But, anytime I did something that my sisters didn't like at home, they sang together - "Stop-Miss-Zig-Daia!... Stop-Miss-Zig-Daia!..."
I didn't give the future much thought when I was a kid. I was only thinking about how I could soar high like the birds. But I did question my father one day why he and his friends were continually asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up. He showed his excitement for the topic by grinning and kissing my face:
— "So, my beautiful, do you already have an answer?" He inquired.
— "Dad, I don't consider these things. It's for adults to worry about the future. "I'm only six years old," I remarked.
—"My little princess, I understand that you have important things to focus on in your childhood, and I support that. But I would like you to spend more time studying. You need to do your homework every day. As you requested, I provided you with a 'Geography of Brazil for kids' book and a 100-piece Brazil Map puzzle, but you haven't had the chance to use them yet. You focus only on playing all the time." He said.​
—Dad, my dear, before you go ahead, let me remind you of one thing: I spend four hours a day, five days a week at school, studying, and you still want me to study when I arrive home? Do you want to have a daughter with a degree in astronomy and/or science?" I asked.
​—"Mery, my dear, you're very funny. But don't make me laugh too much because I still have some serious concerns that I'd like to discuss with you. Your frequent falls off the bike have been leaving you with scratches all over your body. I understand your passion for pushing yourself to perform faster and higher pirouettes, but could you please consider slowing down a bit? On top of that, the bike itself is completely broken. "
​—"Dad, you know how to turn a pleasant conversation into a scolding one. "I said.
My sweetheart, this is not a scolding. I just want to express that my concerns for you do not lessen my pride in your talents. You're a very smart little girl! Your sophisticated skills are impressive and significant. Just look at your treehouse; it's beautifully designed! I really admire your idea and its execution. You have the potential to be a successful architect in the future. I am truly happy for everything you do! — he said, his voice filled with genuine pride.
The bougainvillea plant has grown well! It's so beautiful! And you were right: With this warm weather, the inside of your "Nest" became much cooler. I liked that detail, too.
Thank you, Dad! I love my Nest, too! I want to sleep over there every night, but you don't let me do it because it isn't safe at night.
""Believe me, my love, your nest isn't safe for staying overnight. The Castelo Sítio is full of wild animals at night. And you don't need this; you have one of the top princess's rooms here at the Castelo Sítio."
Ah, before we finish, I want to ensure you understand that your adventurous spirit, like climbing to the top of the tree and jumping into the river, always worried me, but it's something I've always admired. But now, I hear you jumped off the bridge. The bridge is so high, my dear. This is keeping me up all night. I can't bear the thought of my beautiful daughter getting hurt," He said.
Dad, don't worry. The risk is the same whether I jump from a tree or a bridge." The bridge is high, you're right, but it's a firm piece of concrete. The tree branch sways so much that sometimes I almost fall even before jumping. I said.
"Oh, my God!!!... My little daughter... my little sweetheart... these things are hard for me. My heart is getting old, and it can't stand these things anymore. At any moment, I could have a heart attack." He said, joking.
"My beautiful princess, I’m not sure who you take after," he said with a smile. "Your mom and I don’t quite possess the energy and courage that you do. You are an incredibly strong little girl—so brave and special! You really embody the energy of a Taurus, with immense strength and a dazzling life!" He said.
“Dad, as you love to say, 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!' Definitely, I inherited strong, energetic, and courageous traits from both of you: being married and having six children in a short period of eight years requires an incredible amount of energy and unwavering courage. Wouldn’t you agree?” He let out a hearty laugh.
C-130 Hercules, a legendary cargo plane, of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB).
I vividly recall being just 8 years old when I first heard about skydiving while watching a captivating television program that featured a Parachute Infantry Regiment from Rio de Janeiro. The episode showcased a breathtaking launch of 30 brave paratroopers aboard a C-130 Hercules, an iconic cargo plane of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). Before takeoff, the instructor passionately explained that, after two months of rigorous training, these soldiers would leap from a staggering height of 800 meters.
In that thrilling moment, a whirlwind of questions surged through my mind: Was it truly possible? How could these fearless soldiers muster the courage to leap from such an immense height? What if their parachutes failed to deploy? How could the instructor open the plane’s door mid-flight? Were they compelled by military service to undertake such a daring feat?
The C-130 Hercules soared into the sky, showcasing the instructor's strong leadership and the soldiers' unwavering discipline. Inside the aircraft, an intense silence enveloped everyone, each one ready for the mission ahead. A few minutes after takeoff, the instructor opened the Hercules's door and communicated with the pilot through the aircraft's radio to position the Hercules on the jump route.
He signaled the soldiers to stand up, their parachute connectors securely fastened to the steel cable above, (parachute opening tape), were clad in their camouflage jumpsuits, helmets, boots, and equipped with T-10 round parachutes and ventral reserve parachutes, they moved toward the big open door, and with a commanding shout of "READY, SET, GO!" the soldiers jumped into the vast expanse sky opened; a breathtaking display of bravery and precision.
As I watched the soldiers leap from the Hercules, my heart racing with adrenaline. In that instant, the sight a deep yearning within me to soar alongside them. I reminiscent my dream of flying freely like a bird, and I declared with conviction, “When I grow up, I’m going to fly. I'll be a paratrooper!” I knew that this would be an extraordinary freely act, something all of us wish to have, but only few would dare to accomplish.
How Skydiving Changed My Life.
Life Has These Things.
When I was 19, a friend named Roberto kept asking me if I wanted to be his girlfriend. 'But you have a girlfriend,' I told him. 'That girl you always see me with, her name is Mary. She's my friend.' He said.
​
One day, as I was leaving school, I saw Roberto talking to a friend in the schoolyard. I approached them, and we started chatting. His friend left us. I mentioned seeing him with Mary at the ice cream shop. 'Oh, this is true! Mary, very excitedly, came to tell me she had signed up for a skydiving school.' He said.
—'Wow, A skydiving course? That sounds amazing! Do you have any additional details about the school? Where it is?' I asked.
—'Calm down, my beauty! Don't tell me that you're also interested in skydiving! It seems that all Marys are crazy.' He said jokingly.
—'Mary won't stop talking about this crazy skydiving idea! I've already told her to stop, as I'm worried about her safety, but she doesn't want to listen to me. Skydiving is an incredibly extreme sport... It's a man thing.' He said.
​
—' There is no skydiving in the state. How does a skydiving course suddenly appear, and no one knows about it? Wasn't this publicized?' I asked.
—'It's a private course at the Military Police Academy and will start next Monday. She spoke to Commander Coronel Canuto Tupy Caldas (Commander CTC), and he allowed her to sign up. The group consists of twenty military personnel; only she is a woman and a civilian. The instructors are military from another state." He said.
—Oh my God! My initial shock gave way to pure excitement. Meeting Commander CTC and his wife, Dona Naná, made me believe that my dream of skydiving was soon to become a reality.
​
During the summer, I enjoyed many outdoor activities very much. As a member of the 'National Association of Scouts & Bandeirantes,' we had a meeting on that Thursday afternoon. Our Team Leader was thrilled to announce some great news: Our team had another opportunity to work as a volunteer at an upcoming soccer game at the Albertão Soccer Stadium on Saturday. "The soccer match referee would parachute into the stadium carrying the game ball. ''Can you guys believe it!?" She exclaimed with enthusiasm.
​
I was amazed by this unexpected turn of events! I had never heard of parachuting in the city, but suddenly, one day I found out about the Military Police's first parachuting course, and next day the football referee was going to parachute into the stadium. This is really impressive!!
I was stationed in the Girl Scout groups division, working outside the stadium to organize parking. I wanted to talk to the Parachutist Judge, so I asked our Team Leader if I could stay with the group inside the stadium. However, my request was denied because I had been with the group inside the stadium during the last game. She said I had to rotate within the group.
​
I was sad, but I quickly found comfort in my mind and heart, thinking that Saturday afternoon would be special, when the sun would shine for everyone.
The plane flew over the stadium, and the parachutist-judge jumped out of the airplane. The screams of the crowd echoed inside the stadium.
Suddenly, I noticed that the parachutist, who used a PC round parachute, was struggling against the strong wind. Luckily, he landed outside the stadium, and I was one of the first to reach him. I asked if he was okay. "Yes, I am fine. Thank you!" He said.
​
I mentioned my childhood dream of skydiving, and he suggested that I register for the course at the city's military police barracks.
That Sunday, I couldn't think of anything else. On Monday, at 7:30 am, I crossed the gates of the Barracks of the General Command of the Military Police of the State of Piauí. I came face-to-face with a group of soldiers from the Barracks Guard. They were all in camouflage uniforms, helmets, and boots, and each held a rifle. They seemed surprised to see me there so early.
​
When I was very close, one of the soldiers took a few steps forward and asked how he could help. After him came another soldier, and then another, and another one, until I felt like I was on an island surrounded by a group of armed soldiers from head to toe. Despite the intimidating setting, my determination to enroll in the Barracks parachuting course was unwavering.
​
With a subtle, delicate gesture, one of the soldiers informed me that the course was exclusively for military personnel —"a tough guy, strong one, stalwart, a beefcake ... Capiche!" As he spoke, he struck the HULK pose. They all laughed. I stood my ground, refusing to be intimidated by his display of power, as he wanted to put me in a place where he had no control.
​
The young man was a pleased soldier. As he spoke, he gestured a lot with his hands. I swear I saw traces of nail polish on his nails. Insisting, I said I wanted to talk to Commander Tupy Caldas. "He's not here, miss. He doesn't usually get to the barracks this early." Said the "happy soldier." Suddenly, another military personnel approached—the Sarg. D'Silva, the Chief of the Guard that day, arrived to end the confusion that had formed in the Guard reception. He ordered all the soldiers to return to the post.
​
I informed him that I was interested in enrolling in the parachuting course and needed to speak to Colonel Tupy Caldas to request authorization. "Miss, the Commander is not here," he said. "This morning, he has a meeting with Governor Alberto Silva at Karnak Palace," he added. "Well, as the 'Soldier Maravilha' said, the parachuting course is only for military police officers, and the classes have already started today at 8:00 am." He said.
​
I almost laughed at the nickname 'Soldier Maravilha,' but I remained quiet, believing there was still order among those military men. In my very innocent head, I had no idea that there were gay men inside Military Barracks full of so many men.
​
I asked when the Commander would arrive at the Barracks. "Come back here around 11 o'clock," Said the Chief of the Guard. He looked at me from top to bottom and asked my name:
"Miss Maria?... and....?" Want to know my last name. I didn't like the way he looked at me, so I decided to be rude. "Sorry, officer, my name is not Maria. I said my name is Mery M—E—R—Y. And I don't have a last name. Capiche!" I said. "OK, OK. Sorry!" he said.
With one hand on his waist and the other on his chin, he said: 'Senhorita Mery, it will be difficult for you to get a place on this course. I couldn't even register myself, for example. The course is exclusively for men, specifically military personnel of the Military Police, and the candidates were hand-picked by colonels from the general command of the barracks.
​
Continuing to look at me provocatively, he said: "Well, as you have a good shape (To emphasize my attractive body, he drew a guitar body shape with his hands while looking at me from head to toe); if I were you, I would be looking for a big wedding. Leave this business of wanting to be a skydiver. Would you change this beautiful dress to a ridiculous camouflage jumpsuit? Are you sure you want to exchange this pair of beautiful sandals for a ridiculous pair of boots, which will look big on your feet?—We don't have boots in your size. Oh, you have to cut your beautiful cruler hair and also you'll have to cut your nails, and don't even insist on keeping them long and painted, because in the process of packing a parachute, they'll break and the polish will come off."—I didn't acknowledge him, and left.
Returning at 11 am, I caught the Head of the Guard off guard. He seemed surprised, mentioning that the Commander would only be at the Barracks in the afternoon. I took a seat on the bench in front of the Barracks, contemplating the unexpected turn of events.
​
Half an hour later, I was in front of Colonel Tupy Caldas' house. A very serious, fully uniformed, and impeccably armed soldier from the Estate Guard approached. I said I wanted to speak to Colonel Tupy Caldas. I would talk to Dona Naná, his wife, if he weren't there. The guard, indicating with his head, told me to look back in a specific direction.
​
The colonel's car was in the driveway. opened the car window and said, "Mery, my favorite champion, what a pleasure to welcome you to my home!" The Colonel called me "my favorite champion" because I had won a gold medal in the 100-meter championship at the National Student Championship, as a member of my school, Liceu. The competition's closing ceremony party was in the barracks courtyard, and Colonel Tupy Caldas placed the medal around my neck, saying, "Receive the gold because you were the best of all, confirming that you're a top-level athlete," he said.
​
—"Colonel Tupy Caldas, I need to talk to you. The matter is fundamental." I said. He asked if I had already had lunch. I shook my head negatively, saying, "No." "Then the senhorita is my guest. Let's go in." He said. Once we sat at the table, the Colonel, Dona Naná, and I, he started the conversation by asking how my studies were going. Then he wanted to know the critical subject that brought me to him.
​
Colonel, as you know, I am dedicated to several sports, but there's one passion that has captivated my heart since childhood: my dream of becoming a parachutist.
The colonel paused, momentarily taken aback. He coughed, needing a sip of water to regain his composure. “Really? Mery, do you truly have the courage to skydive?” he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
​
Colonel, this is my lifelong dream. With the Military Police Headquarters offering a parachuting course, I respectfully seek your authorization to enroll in it.
It's true. The classes began early this morning. However, there’s more I’d like to address. "Mery, my dear, the course is being funded by the Military Police. As much as I admire your determination, I believe the Police Military cannot pay for your class. And, one more thing; how can I put you in a barracks with more than a thousand men?"
​
Colonel, I appreciate your concerns about payment. However, I'm more than willing to fund my participation in the course. Furthermore, I want to emphasize that my gender should not be a barrier. You have authorized Mary W. to take the course. As she has the opportunity, I believe I can have it too.
​
Looking very worried, he said: Are you serious? I remember she asked to do the course, but she was joking. I can't believe she will dare to jump from a plane. She doesn't have courage," He added.
​
Colonel, she was serious. She's already there, taking the course." I replied, without being very specific about what I was saying.
Mrs Naná joined the conversation. She turned to her husband and said, "Tupy. It appears that Mary is already enrolled in the course. And Mery has dreamed of being a skydiver since her childhood. Let both Maria and Mery take the course together. It’s that simple."
​
Mery, sweetheart, I don't understand why you insist on jumping out of a perfectly good plane! I would never do it, even if someone paid me a million dollars." He said.
I was thrilled and said, "Colonel Tupy Caldas, please call the instructors and tell them that they now have another Mery in the course."
Sarg. D'Silva was already waiting for me. "Women really do rule the world," he said. "This shouldn't bother you," I replied. "Oh, no, no, no... It absolutely doesn't bother me at all," he insisted.
As we walked across a spacious courtyard, curious military men strained to get a glimpse of us. They murmured among themselves while watching us.
Sarg. D'Silva led me to the hall where the parachuting course was. I didn't know anyone in the room except Maria. When she saw me, she didn't try to hide her expression of admiration.
The course lasted five days, from Monday to Friday, and included several theoretical classes focused on the knowledge required for packing both the main and reserve parachutes. Intense physical exercises, such as squats, push-ups, forced walking, and running, were a constant part of the training. Throughout the week, there were numerous training sessions on exiting the airplane, as well as extensive parachute navigation and landing exercises. As expected, I experienced pain and bruises all over my body. But all of these were essential for preparing me for the day of the jumps.
At 6:00 AM on Saturday, we arrived at the scheduled location, Senador Petrônio Portella Airport. However, an unexpected event occurred when heavy rain was announced. The Military Police management quickly contacted the administration of Caxias Municipal Aerodrome in Maranhão, the next-door state, which is located 70 km away. We ended up spending two days jumping in Caxias, where the weather was terrific!
My first jump?? It was a comedy! Things usually happen only to me:
T-10 military equipment ​​was widely used at the time. It seemed no one had made gear for women. With a small stature of 5.4 and weighing just 100 pounds, any equipment was too big for me.
I was in the first load and was the first one to jump out. We took off in a Cessna 185 without a door. It was my first time flying in an airplane. Sitting on the plane's floor, on the pilot's right side, with my back to the aircraft's instrument panel, I looked down, admiring the immensity of the forest areas with the babassu palm trees of Maranhão. - My home state.For someone who had never been on a plane, taking off sitting at the door opening of an airplane without a door seemed a little scary. I didn't even think about giving up for a second. I dreamed for many years that one day I would fly.
We arrived at the jump altitude. The pilot received guidance from the jump instructor, Eduardo. The noise of the Cessna's engine and the strong wind made for poor communication. The instructor shouted to the pilot: “AIRPLANE ON FINAL ROUTE.” Eduardo took my hand, looked straight into my eyes, and said out loud. "MERY, OFF THE PLANE." Sitting at the door, with my feet on the plane's footboard, I held on tightly to the upright (aircraft support, located below the wing) and pulled myself out of the plane with both hands. The wind was very strong. As the equipment was very loose on my body, I felt the equipment had remained inside the plane when I got up.
As I positioned myself well outside the plane, I looked at Eduardo. Smiling, he gave me a thumbs-up and shouted, "READY, SET, GO." I took a deep breath, released my hands, and threw myself backward. I felt my body flying out of the plane exit, witnessing the pilot smiling at me and Eduardo sending out kisses.
Hollywood missed the big picture. What a spectacular exit! Skydiving is one of the most extraordinary things in the world. It's a deep internal sensation that immediately evokes a strong emotional reaction between the body and mind.
Life Has These Things!
The skydiving equipment was very big and loose on my body. When the T-10 parachute opened, the reserve parachute, which had been positioned at stomach height before, moved to below my chin, pushing my head back.
This restricted my visibility, and I could only look down from the corner of my eyes, over the top of my shoulders. The toggles (brakes) for steering the parachute were located high up on the risers - support rods of the parachute lines, and were far too high, making them unreachable for me.
Due to the limited visibility and inability to steer the parachute, poor Mery was gone with the wind!
I forgot about the unexpected and undesirable problems and enjoyed that unique moment. Silence enveloped me as I looked up and admired my beautiful parachute! It was a lovely sunny day, and the sky sparkled like a diamond.
I felt euphoric as if I were tipsy. It's not about feeling tipsy or buzzed; it's about feeling truly alive, empowered, and charmed, like a magical feeling of being on top of the world, flying, literally, in the clouds!
Finally, I was realizing my long-awaited dream of flying! "Where did I find the courage to jump out of that Cessna?! " I asked myself... "Jumping out of a perfectly good plane," as Col. Tupy Caldas said.
It was an incredible experience to be involved in that silence immersed —just me and my parachute, far from everything and everyone, soaring above the world in an expansive open sky that sparkled like a crystal in the sunlight. I couldn't help but imagine what life down there would be like at that exact moment. With a radiant smile, I felt like a cherished child of God who loved me deeply.
Even if I tried to use every word in the world, I still wouldn't be able to describe the feeling of this moment! It's a unique feeling, only those who take the jump can truly understand it. It's a personal feeling; you just can't put it into words! It's incredibly exhilarating! This is why I invite everyone to visit my site MeryRose.com to book your first jump! It'll be the most incredible moment in your lifetime!
Trying to steer my parachute pulling one of the risers. (The risers connect the parachute harness to the lines.) The risers of this older style of parachute are quite heavy, and my attempt was unsuccessful.
In our training, we were taught that once the T-10 parachute opened, we could disconnect one side of the carabiner connector from the reserve parachute, allowing it to hang next to my body. However, I had difficulty disconnecting it, so I pushed the reserve forward and looked down through the gap between my body and the reserve to see the ground beneath my feet.
Oh my God! I'm already flying low. Whatever God wants to do, it's time for me to prepare myself to do a good landing, like I learned in the class days. I said to myself screaming out loud.
"MERY, MY DAUGHTER, BE CAREFUL WITH LANDING."
The landing was into a clearing within a wild forest next to the airport. The ventral reserve had left a cut on my chin, and my helmet was now a barrier to my vision. As I struggled to remove it, a noise nearby startled me. I lifted the helmet to find myself unexpectedly face to face with an elderly man, his donkey laden with goods. The sight was so unexpected, it took me a moment to process. The man appeared visibly frightened, with a pale face and trembling all over. I got up, placed my helmet on the ground, and conversed with him to calm him down.
"Sir, I don't even know where I am. How am I going to get out of here?" I said. His reaction was immediate: "My God, it's a woman!" He quickly walked away from me, jumping backward and muttering something. "I understood everything you said," he said, stuttering and babbling. Still very scared, he continued, "You have just arrived in the city of Caxias, in the interior of Maranhão, in Brazil." He provided detailed information about my location.
Wow, how cool! I exclaimed. "What's your name?" I asked. "My name is Flores," he replied. "A welcome reception by Mr. Flores!" I cheered, and he smiled sheepishly.
I remembered a phrase a friend said to me when I told him I dreamed of being a skydiver: "Men have always been afraid of women who fly." I started laughing, remembering the funny phrase. Mr. Flores, looking at me laughing, didn't understand anything and became more scared.
Fires in the forest were common in the region at that time. My parachute, my jumpsuit, my hands, and my face were completely covered in black coal dust. Looking at me, Mr. Flores still moved further away. Flores still moved further away.
He continued to mumble quietly to himself. Then, from far away, he spoke to me again: "I saw when you arrived. When you fell to the ground, it made a huge noise. It was a boom, like thunder. The earth even shook." He said this was very surprising and scary.
Where do you come from? He asked with curiosity.
"Mr. Flores, you won’t believe what I just did! A few minutes ago, I took off on a small Cessna airplane right here at the Caxias airport. - I just made my very first parachute jump! Yhuuuuummm.... I was screaming, commemorated.
“YOU DID WHAT?” he exclaimed, clearly taken aback and confused.
I took off in the airplane and, once I reached 1,200 meters in altitude, I opened the door and jumped from it. My parachute deployed perfectly, and for a few exhilarating minutes, I soared high in open skies. Now, here I am, alive and overjoyed, sharing this incredible moment with you!
“AND IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?” he asked, his surprise palpable.
“Mr. Flores, I just accomplished something that you, and indeed the rest of humanity, may never fully comprehend,” I responded, half-jokingly, trying to spill over the adrenaline still coursing hot through my veins..
Just then, a police jeep rolled up, carrying two soldiers from the rescue team. Their relief was evident as they saw me safe and sound, and they greeted me with smiles. I took the opportunity to introduce Mr. Flores to them.
One of the soldiers picked up the jeep's radio to contact the instructors at the drop zone, at the airport. “Mery, we need you to return to the drop zone as soon as possible. The pilot is here on my side, eagerly waiting to take off with you again. Both he and I like your exit very much. Your exit was spectacular, incredible! We never saw anything like it!” said Eduardo, his excitement infectious.
When I got back to the drop zone, I had never been so welcome in my entire life. The instructors opened the metal toolbox that I had nicknamed "Jewel Chest" at the start of our classes. The box contained all the necessary tools for maintaining our parachutes. They adjusted my equipment by lowering the brakes and making my parachute harness more adjustable to my body.
I did my second jump that afternoon and two more the next day. I successfully landed on the target in my last three jumps, securing my first title, bestowed upon me by my instructors and jumping peers: "World individual accuracy champion."
We all completed four jumps in two days. Everything occurred without incident or disturbance. Afterward, we returned to Teresina in military vehicles. That night, we won a big surprise party at the Hotel Piauí party room, where we received our certificates from the military authorities. Food and drinks were served to the distinguished guests and the Parachutist Heroes until dawn. The 20 soldier-skydivers, Maria, I, the two instructors, and the pilots welcomed Commander CTC for a big photo. Maria and I didn't become friends, but we grew closer to each other. When the party ended at 6:00 am., I was drained, exhausted, but thrilled.
When I got back to the drop zone, I had never been so welcome in my entire life. Everybody made much noise, and I got hugs and kisses. From the audience side, people were waving at me, and children were shouting my name.
The instructors opened the metal toolbox, which I had nicknamed the "Jewel Chest" at the start of our classes. The box contained all the necessary tools for maintaining our parachutes. They adjusted my equipment by lowering the brakes and making my parachute harness more adjustable to my body.
I did my second jump that afternoon and two more the next day. I successfully landed on the target in my last three jumps, securing my first title, bestowed upon me by my instructors and jumping peers: "FAI World individual accuracy champion."
We all completed four jumps in two days. Everything occurred without incident or disturbance. Afterward, we returned to Teresina in military vehicles. That night, we won a big surprise party at the Hotel Piauí party room, where we received our certificates from the military authorities. Food and drinks were served to the distinguished guests and the Parachutist Heroes until dawn. The 20 military skydivers, Maria, I, the two instructors, and the pilots welcomed Commander CTC for a big photo. Maria and I didn't become good friends, but we grew a little bit closer. When the party ended at 6:00 am., I was very tired, exhausted, but very happy.
Soon after my first jumps, I became interested in classic parachuting competitions—style and accuracy, the only two existing at the time.
At that time, the lives of Brazilians were complicated. The Military Dictatorship was a political regime led by the Brazilian Armed Forces that lasted from 1964 to 1985, spanning 21 years. This period coincided with the rise of the female empowerment movement in Brazil, which refers to a woman's ability to control various aspects of her life, including financial, emotional, social, political, gender, educational, sporting, and physical dimensions.The female participation in the Armed Forces in Brazil only became possible in the 1980s.
In 1974, in the history of Brazilian parachuting, it was not even thought that a 19-year-old adolescent woman could join a military parachuting couse, approaching the Commander of the Military Police to authorize her to participate in a parachuting course in a barracks with more than a thousand men. Nowadays, I have the dimension of tenderness I had to fulfill the dream I had of flying since I was a child when I played with the birds in Castelo-Sítio.
I was ahead of my time in many ways without knowing it. Fulfilling a big dream at 19 is like being born again into a full life. When I was five years old, I dreamed of flying like a bird, just like a Marvel comic book character. At the age of 8, when I discovered the existence of parachute jumping after watching a television program about the Parachute Infantry Regiment, I told myself that I would fly when I grew up.
In 1975, I relocated to Brasilia, the federal capital, after successfully competing for a position as a federal public servant at ELETRONORTE—North Power Stations.
That same year, I was one of the founders of the first skydiving club in Brasília, the "Skydiving Club of Brasília's Aeroclub," located in the city of Luziana, near Brasilia. Our club got a few hours of flight time on military planes, and we had fun jumping for free at Bandeirantes, Buffalo, and/or Hercules on the weekends. As the only woman in the group, I became the 'news girl' for the Club, working with the local press to find members to form the first skydiving course of our new club. I quickly became known among the more than 2,000 employees of Eletronorte and in the more than 20 ministries of the federal capital.
Historic Jump.
This jump holds a special place at the beginning of my skydiving journey; at 22 years old, I celebrated my 20th jump, realizing my first free-fall jump. I passed the “A” license test, and I recorded an unprecedented fact in the history of Brazilian female skydiving, as I became the first woman to jump with a ram-air "square" parachute in Brazil.
The Strato Cloud parachute was manufactured by Para Flite in the USA that same year. It became the prevailing accuracy parachute in the market, replacing the T-10 parachute in world competitions. The Strato Star, a 5-cell accuracy parachute, and the PC and Papillon round parachutes, also gradually faded from skydiving championships. From then on, it seemed like the gold rush - everyone was buying a Strato Cloud.
Strato Star - Small Containers: Strato Star - Small and light Containers:
With its mere 5 cells, the Strato Star parachute was a game-changer in the global industry, delighting everyone with its lightweight and compact design. When the Strat Cloud 7-Cells was introduced to the world, the Strat Star not only left the market but also set the standard for a significantly smaller container size. This shift in size requirements meant that any competing products would need to fit into a Strato Star-sized container - to have any chance of making sales.
At the time, I always had problems with equipment that was too loose on my body. As I have a small stature, at the beginning of the 80s, I bought my Parafoil-252 with a custom-made container. With the comfort of the container adjusted and the perfect canopy size, my jumps, both in terms of accuracy and style, began to show great technical evolution.
Strato Star - Small and Lightweight Containers:
The Strato Star parachute, with its innovative 5-cell design, revolutionized the industry by impressing users with its exceptional lightweight and compact container features. Despite its groundbreaking capabilities, it is important to note that its lifespan was relatively short.
In the mid-1970s, Para Flite introduced the Strato Cloud parachute, a robust 7-cell model that quickly established itself as the dominant choice in accuracy parachuting. It effectively replaced the traditional round parachutes, including the T-10, PC, Papillon, and the 5-cell Strato Star. As a result, these older models faded from prominence in national and international parachuting championships, marking a significant shift in the sport.
PARAFOILL - 1982
I Love my Parachutes!
I have been using the Classic parachute for 27 years.
