A Proud Parent... Again

[mark james]

Thank you to my turning friends to tolerate my "Parent Gloats."

My eldest son (Nephew actually) just won a gold medal in the National Skydiving League - 4 Way Competition.

https://www.skyleague.com/pages/teams/showTeam.php?team=140909

He is Chris Haslam.

Background: Chris is my Nephew. My Sister-In-Law and Brother-In-Law died in a plane crash as they were going to a sky diving meet in 1991. My wife and I are Chris' Godparents, and we were blessed with a second toddler within a weekend (our son was 16 months old, Chris was 2 years old). Chris' mother (Jayne Marchant) represented the USA in the World Skydiving Competitions in 1986 and 1990 (as the only civilian member) - 6'th best in USA - 1986 and 4'th best in USA - 1990, respectively. Scot Haslam (Dad) was a pilot for US Air, and was ranked in the top 50 in USA.

My wife (Nancy) and I always suspected Chris would follow in their footsteps (jumpsuits); and we supported whatever he wished to pursue.

So... Last month he completed his first Ironman Competition in about 13 hours, and now he got a gold for skydiving... (I'll try to turn a square block round...). :tongue:

His first parents are mighty proud right now!!!

Jayne and Scot - We did our best!

 

[Charlie_W]

Mark,
Hats off and two thumbs up to you and your wife........
...and Huge Congratulations to Chris!

I hope you are documenting all this for future generations so they can hear, see, and understand this journey.

 

[Cwalker935]

Gloat away! Congratulations to Chris. I am sure that Jayne and Scot are looking on with pride and gratitude. Good work.

 

[Indiana_Parrothead]

Congrats Mark you should be proud. But with all of that talent in your family you have to step your game up and come out with a breakthrough in the pen turning world.


In other words your slacking you have to pick up you game man, lol

Mike

 

[dthayer]

Congrats Chris!!! Mark, you and your wife have obviously done a great job and I'm sure Jayne and Scot are smiling down from above!

 

[RKB]

Wow. Gotta Love that! Really good stuff. :biggrin:
Thanks for sharing Mark.

Rod

 

[jsolie]

Congrats! I think you done good.

 

[Dalecamino]

Awesome . We will pop one for Chris this week end.

 

[mark james]

Awesome . We will pop one for Chris this week end.

YES WE SHALL!!

ALL IS set on my end. See you soon. !!

 

[EBorraga]

Pop a top of some fine Bourbon The only way i'm jumping out of a plane is if it's on fire and going down!!!

 

[Skie_M]

Turn him a pen (or something nice with beads on it) and make a bag for it from one of his old parachutes. The silk in those is really nice stuff, and very strong!

 

[bobleibo]

Congratulations Mark, that is one terrific kid you have there !

 

[southernclay]

Mark I love these kind of stories, he's obviously had a tougher hand than many but been surrounded by love....Y'all are good people. He's got a heck of a drive and a bright future ahead of him. You deserve to be very proud!