Space Mountain

When our daughter invited us to join them on a trip we were warned ahead of time that this was a trip for the kids.  Everything would be pretty much geared to what they would enjoy.  There wouldn't be adult dinners, movies with real people, or quiet afternoon naps.  We would however, have the option to not participate in the "family" activities.  The first test came when the girls announced that the next day we would be going to the amusement park.  The youngest looked up at me solemnly,  "Mama says you don't do roller coasters.  It's o.k., I can stay and keep you company if I'm not tall enough to ride."

She's right.  I don't do roller coasters.  In fact I don't do any ride that goes fast, high or gets me wet.  I have stood on the ground, covered in a terror-sweat, watching my whole world going around on the Ferris wheel, but could not get on it for anything.  All I could do was watch and pray that my children returned to earth unharmed.  The mothers of the astronauts could not have felt more fear.  So here was this five year old earnestly reassuring me that she would hold my hand while I waited.

Hubby and the kids always loved the amusement parks.  I would carry packages, keep up with tickets, study the park maps, wipe faces, and hubby would ride the rides with the kids.  I usually would stand in line with them to pacify the kids, and keep hubby from getting too restless at the wait, then slip out as they approached the head of the line.  I could then browse the shops or wander until I met them at the exit gate.

This worked fine until a trip to Disney World.  We had enjoyed a long day at the park and were heading for one last ride.  Dusk was approaching but the kids wanted to ride one more time.  They chose the Space Mountain ride for their final run.  I lined up with them and we chatted about our fun day as we waited.  The line gradually moved up as we wound in and out of the line up area.  It gradually began to dawn on me that we had moved inside of a building.  I began looking for a way to get out, so I could wait for the rest of the family after the ride.  Looking around, I couldn't see any way to leave without climbing over the long line of people behind us.  No doors, no exit signs, no place to chicken out.  I was stuck.

I decided that I could do this.  After all it was a perfectly safe form of entertainment.  Nothing more.

Chanting softly to myself, "It's just a ride.  I can do it.",  we inched forward.  Around the next turn in the line I found myself facing a sign listing all of the people who should not ride....those who had high blood pressure, heart problems, back problems, breathing difficulties.  With sweaty palms and a dry mouth, I assured myself that it was perfectly safe.  They couldn't run a ride if it was truly dangerous.  My kids gripped my hands and murmured reassuring words as we moved steadily forward.

We finally arrived at the starting point and were ushered into the cars.  The lap bar locked down and we were ready.  "What?  No seat belts, three point harnesses?  Just this little bar?!"  With that we were OFF!  We roared into the darkness amid the screams of the riders.  Around and around we flew, up and down, faster and faster.  The wind rushed by my face but I saw nothing.  I had my eyes screwed shut and was holding on for dear life.

An eternity later the ride was over.  The passengers started to exit from the cars.  My son, sitting next to me, gave me a prod.  "Come on, Mom, we need to leave."  I just looked at him helplessly as the attendant approached our car.  "Is there a problem?" he inquired politely.  I looked up in embarrassment, "Yes.  You see I can't make my hand turn loose of the grab bar."  I had gripped so tightly that now the muscles were locked onto the bar. 

With infinite patience, he smiled and proceeded to pry my fingers loose, one at a time.  Stuttering with shame, I apologized for the trouble.  He just laughed, "Lady, I do this all day long every day."

Yep.  I would let the grandkids ride and I would hold the packages and wait.  I tempted fate once but never again!!