sgraczyk

Obviously, I haven't posted very often...had trouble attaching files, which I had to downsize first. Anyway, Santa had to cut his beard and mustache for the freefall - he also lost the round belly. But all that grew back for the party that night.

This was our Christmas picture jump... It was our Halloween costume so we were economical!

Maura! How are you and Gomey doing? I miss you and everyone else as well. But you know the skydiving family; it extends through out all drop zones. You would love the people at Skydive Dallas - they are fabulous! It just hurts that I never got to say goodbye. But I know Roger now knows - and like you said, he would be pleased. I was going to call Mattress and stop by because I'll be there the end of June for a wedding and a visit, I was going to pick up my old gear I was hoping he would sell. Now, I'll be stopping by more to pay my respects. It's going to be hard. I'm planning on Sunday the 29th, so if you're there, I'll be able to see you. I won't be bringing my gear, though. I wish I could be there Monday. Please give everybody my love! Blue Skies and Rainbows, Shayne

It took me awhile to put in words a small portion of what I felt with Roger's passing I haven't ever posted here, but I wanted to share what I just posted on Skydive Chicago's board. I am just now coming out of the haze, the shock, although the sadness still remains. As with so many others, Roger touched my life inexplicably. He was my teacher and mentor in skydiving from the beginning and he changed my life through what he taught me, along with all of you at Skydive Chicago. Ten years later, I am at a new home drop zone in my home state with a new skydive family, Skydive Dallas, but Skydive Chicago will always be my first home, and I seriously doubt that anyone can change the course of my life as much as Roger Nelson. Roger Nelson – innovative, dynamic, controversial – his passing is a loss that rips through the very seam of the skydive community worldwide. As controversial as he could be, Roger worked and fought for his beliefs and innovations to the limits and was strong enough to challenge tradition. Through his courage and audacity, he changed the way skydiving is taught and helped create what the sport is today. Roger was a visionary and he was strong and bold enough to build forward and not stop until his vision was a reality. Ten years ago in August, before Roger’s dream of a “skydiving resort” was built, I did my first tandem. Roger was my tandem master. I always wanted to skydive, but never intended to be a skydiver. I screamed and yelled through freefall and all during the canopy ride. When we landed, Roger had this huge grin on his face and turned and said, “She’s a screamer!” As most of you know, Roger truly enjoyed the excitement and energy of the first-timers and newbies. He remembered people and loved to embrace the new skydivers into the fold and teach them to fly – share a world beyond, his world. For instance, a month after my first tandem, I went back for my second. I was hooked. Friends were there with me for moral support, but we were on a weather hold. Having tasted that new thrill, I couldn’t wait. Although my friends couldn’t return with me the next day, I proceeded to Skydive Chicago by my lonesome, not knowing anyone there. My jump was paid for. I remember clearly my heart pounding faster than normal almost in my throat, the light-headedness from breathing a little to quickly, and then walking around the corner to find out what I needed to do to go on my second Tandem. This time I was getting the video! Roger was lounging in a golf cart in front of the hanger – waiting for the next load, no doubt. He saw me walking around the corner and lit up with his dynamic smile and said, “Shayne! You’re one of us, aren’t you?!?” A month had passed! He had done how many tandems and taught how many students, and yet he remembered me by name! He embraced me into the skydiving world and it became mine as well. This memory I share with you and it will always be a part of me. Roger saw potential in me and wanted me to skydive. When I was going through student status and shortly after and I got overly anxious, he would coach me and teach me and build my confidence. He was patient and taught without belittling. Unlike many of you, I wasn’t able to quickly excel in the sport due to life events and lack of time, but Roger always was there. When I got married, we threw people instead of rice. Roger gave us the demo as a wedding present. During the marriage, and when I was barely staying current in the sport, Roger always had a hug and a genuine welcome. One time, before I left the sport for nearly two years, I drove up (this is at the new facility) and Roger said to me, “Thanks for being part of the Family!” Even though I couldn’t jump like I wanted, he still considered me “one of us.” Although I wasn’t skydiving often, I watched the new drop zone being built from the ground up by the hands of skydivers. Roger, the businessman. The barterer. I was one of the lucky ones that got to jump into the new facility before it was open. I was there for the 300-way when you all set the 246-way world record. When I wasn’t skydiving, I was there in spirit and stayed abreast of the current DZ gossip and news. I can’t think about skydiving and not have a memory of Roger and Skydive Chicago. Ten years ago– thanks to Roger, I was reborn. After my divorce and after having isolated myself for a while, I went back out to Skydive Chicago just over a year ago to get recurrent and to say goodbye before moving back to Texas. Roger was off at another boogie, and the weather was cold and rainy. It was April. I moved to Texas and returned to skydiving in full force. I always intended to come back to Skydive Chicago to see Roger and let him know I was jumping again. I never got to say goodbye, but I know he’d be proud. Like all of you, old and new, I have so many memories to share. They keep flooding back into my mind. Suffice it to say that Roger Nelson will live on in our memories and in the skydiving community and he will continue to “Spread the Love.” With the tenacity gifted to few, Roger Nelson accomplished what he set out to do in this world. Although we might not understand it now, he fulfilled God’s purpose for him. He was lucky enough to see his dreams come alive and now he passes his vision and legacy to Missy, Rook, and to all of us. Spread the Love – that’s what he wanted! My love to all of you, Shayne