When I look at giant
roller coaster rides from a distance, I get this uneasy feeling in my stomach,
as I am somewhat afraid to ride them. I,
typically, am NOT a thrill seeking rider, when it comes to roller coasters, but
naturally my children and husband manage to coerce me into waiting in long
lines to embark on such rides as “The Hulk,” “California Screamin’,”
“Xcelerator,” or “Space Mountain.”
Even when I was
younger, my friends and I would go to theme parks and ride these rides that
would usually turn my stomach inside out.
Being caught up in the peer pressure thing, I always got on and closed
my eyes until the ride was over—missing every piece of excitement on these
short, upside down, loop around, 120+ second rides.
When Chelsea
graduated from high school, we decided to take the family to Disney World and
Universal Studios. Aaron graduated the
following year, and guess where he wanted to go? BACK to Disney World and Universal
Studios. The kids were pumped to be able
to ride these “totally awesome” rides.
We hit ALL the big rides several times at Disney World. Zach was tall enough to ride the Space
Mountain roller coaster and we had to ride that one several times. That was the first time I managed to keep my
eyes open and try to see what was coming at me in the dark.
We, of course,
made our way over to Universal Studios as the kids were anxious to ride “The
Hulk.” Unfortunately, Zach was under
the 54” height requirement and I graciously volunteered to stay with him. I knew how disappointed he was and thus told
him we could go over and ride “Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Falls” water ride. I “thought” that this would be a fun ride for
him…well, for me anyway—nice and easy. We
would glide along in this boat, get a little wet, and that would be fun for
Zach and absolutely no stress for me.
Zach agreed and off we went to see Dudley. Little did I know that, at the end of the
ride, our log boat would plummet down a 75-foot drop—not only getting us a
little wet, but soaked! As our log boat
began it’s 75-foot descent, I began panicking.
Upon our drop, the realization that we have NO safety restraints
threw me into “RED” alert! I leaned
forward to put my arms around Zach to help restrain him (I know, probably NOT
the smartest thing to do—what can I say—remember…panic mode). What he thought was going to be a “super
boring” ride ended up putting the biggest smile on his face! He was ready to go again after that. Me…not so much. But for Zach, that was a great adventure!
We met back up
with Mark, Aaron, & Rachel. Both
Zach and I were soaked and our day had ONLY just begun. Zach begged Mark to take him back on that
ride again, while Aaron and Rach pleaded with me to ride “The Hulk” with
them. Mark went with Zach, and needless
to say, I went to meet Dr. Bruce Banner.
Aaron and Rachel both stipulated that we “must” sit in the very front
seat. Front seat. Here I come!
After being properly secured with our safety restraints, the roller
coaster begins its slow crawl up the ramp.
A voice comes on and starts screaming there has been a malfunction—at
which point the roller coaster goes from 0 to 40mph in 2 seconds flat. The kids were yelling at me to open my eyes--
so… I would open them—close them—open them—close them… I think you get the
picture. When I opened my eyes, I
watched as both Aaron and Rach had smiles that spread ear to ear. From watching Zach, Aaron, and Rach enjoy
something that completely terrified me, I learned that I needed to keep my eyes
open, enjoy that moment, and be ever watchful of where I am headed. I learned roller coasters could be fun. Roller coasters can be boring. And, roller coasters can scare the pee right
out of me—especially for someone my age.
Sometimes I get on only to realize I cannot wait until I get off! Other times I cannot wait until I ride it
again.
Life can
sometimes be just like those roller coaster rides. I have come to equate some of those rides
with my life. But, if I truly knew what
this ride in life would be like, would I have ridden it? The mortal says “NO WAY,” but the reality of
the answer to that question will remain a mystery. However, there is one sure piece of knowledge
that I possess, and…that lies at the end of this mortal ride. At the end of this journey, there awaits a
joyful reunion. Because I believe that
“families are forever,” the opportunity to be with Zach again is real. If I thought for one second that “this life
is it,” “I will never see him again,” or “this is all we have- here and now,”
how could I possibly go on???? The
answer to that is easy—it would be a hopeless state. But, because of Christ’s infinite atonement,
we have been given the opportunity, privilege, and blessing to be with our
families again. What more could I look
forward to than to be with my family again?
I say, there is nothing more to look forward to than to be with my
family again.
I couldn't resist! Here is a video of "The Hulk" AND...
Dudley Do Right Ripsaw Falls
