By Scottsdale Pinetop
Carpe Diem – seize the day – is one of the oldest philosophical mottos in western history. First uttered by the Roman poet Horace more than 2,000 years ago, the phrase has stood the test of time and struck a special chord with adventure enthusiasts anxiously waiting to conquer the next experience.
Photo By Wickenburg Sun
And that’s exactly what one fearless Wickenburg Ranch resident did. Rather than celebrating the traditional birthday festivities, Lorraine Van Eaton decided to bring in her 80th birthday thousands of feet about the ground. She decided to go skydiving.
Skydiving is almost synonymous with bucket lists. And for Lorraine, it was at the top of her list. Growing up in New York, Lorraine’s father was an Army pilot and she often recalls the numerous flying trip she would take with her father and siblings. “My dad always wanted me to jump. I never did. Skydiving was on my bucket list. If my dad were alive, he’d be happy.”
But Lorraine isn’t just defying the odds high in the sky. She previously competed as a long-distance runner with a record of 75 miles completed in 24 hours, non-stop. At age 68, Lorraine began roping competitively and she is a fiercely competitive pickleball player. Lorraine is also fearless in every day, battling Parkinson’s disease for the past 16 years.
Lorraine truly embodies what it means to “seize the day” and every day. And while not all of us may have the stomach to jump out of an airplane, it’s a reminder to make the little moments count rather than aiming to make it through. Thank you for the inspiration, Lorraine!