Been There, Done That

Posted on by Joyful2bee

By Melodie Elaine Estes

Everyone has unusual experiences to share that make their lives more interesting and unique. Those events help make us who we are and give us stories to share with others.

The following are three of my most unique adventures, but there will be more! I would enjoy hearing from some of you if you want to share your unique adventures in the comments.

Life threatening First Experience

My first unique experience came when I was about 5. I wanted to see what it felt like to be hung like the bad guys in the TV westerns. I un-knotted the clothesline tied to our swing set and had a plan to use my foot to reach the swing when I felt what hanging felt like. (My plan failed when I didn’t know that clothesline stretched.) The panic rose in me, when I could not reach the swing with my foot like I had planned to do. I didn’t know the bad guys died. I had no idea as a little kid what hanging did.

My younger sister got my mother there just in the nick of time. Sometimes, I think this helped make me the weird (in a good way) person I am today. Poor Moma. (For full story see: https://www.joyful2beeblogs.com/my-poor-guardian-angels/

A Flight Like No Other

My second unusual experience came when I was 16. My father, who was a pilot, took me up in a sail plane! To be high above the ground with no engine sounds or power, made me feel the way a bird must feel. The glider was towed into the sky to a proper altitude, by a small airplane; then was released to glide and swoop like a bird with no engine sounds in our ears!

The scenery was somehow even more beautiful and moving in the silence of this airplane. Surprisingly, I was not afraid because I knew that Dad flown many times before in a glider. What an amazing experience.

A Sleepover in a Governor’s Mansion

My third event, a unique opportunity , as opposed to a life threatening one, occurred when I was 17; on a family trip to Mexico; in a travel trailer, with no air conditioning, and in the middle of summer.

On the way to Mexico, we stopped in Mississippi for the night. My father had served in the Army Air Force, with the then present Governor of Mississippi: Governor John Bell Williams.

So when my father called him to say, hello, the governor immediately sent a limo with his daughter to pick up my sister, brother, and me. My parents decided to stay at the camp site with my youngest sister for the night.

We kids spent the night in the governor’s mansion. Dawn and I had a lot of fun visiting with the governor’s daughter, Kelly. I think his son, was there and showed our brother, Jim, around, In the morning we were reunited with our parents and little sister and were served breakfast with the governor. What a unique adventure that was! (See photo below.)

John Bell Williams and daughter with my family in 1967.7wih
My family with John Bell Williams and daughter Kelly in the Mississippi
governor’s mansion in 1967 or 68. (Dawn, Kelly, Me (on the back row);
the governor, my mother, father, and Betty (on the front row).

An Untimely Snow in An Untimely Place

A friend and I went to Pamlico Sound on the coast of North Carolina at the end of February 2016. We heard it might snow but figured it wouldn’t be much to worry about since, after all…it was the beach!

Well it started snowing and snowing. I couldn’t stay away from the window, watching the flakes flying around on the sand and then walking away, saying, “I can’t believe it’s snowing at the beach! This is amazing!!?

Finally, there was about 1/4 inch of snow, which actually froze overnight. I know, because I slipped on it the next morning!

Snow on the Beach?
Snow on the Beach?

Our lives help us experience challenges and adventures that help us learn and adapt.

37 thoughts on “Been There, Done That”

  5. Love the photos of the ostrich and giraffe. This is such a great photos essay because it reminds us just how big and open to wonder this thing being human is all about. Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. Hey there! We really enjoy reading people’s blogs and the inspiring content that creators like you share . Your unique perspective contributes to the engaging online community that we all value . Keep creating and empowering your audience, because your ideas can make a significant impact on the world. We can’t wait to discover what you’ll share next!

    Thanks- Jason http://www.pomeranianpuppies.uk

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Hey there! Came across your post on the WordPress feed and couldn’t resist saying hello. I’m already hooked and eagerly looking forward to more captivating posts. Can’t seem to find the follow button, haha! Guess I’ll have to bookmark your blog instead. But rest assured, I’ll be eagerly watching for your updates!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Actually, Moma was so scared and worried about me that she was just glad that I didn’t die. It was hard on her I am sure. She loved us kids. If she did get upset, I don’t remember. But I never did that again. LOL! I know I took several years off of her life by the fright of seeing me hanging there. I can’t imagine!

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.