My Life in Review: Roller Coaster

When I was a kid being introduced to an adult, it was almost always with the disclaimer: he's shy. A bit of an oversimplification really. I was very nervous around new people when I was little. Downright unnerved by the thought of being left alone with strangers. Even if they were friends of my family. I was also scared to sit with Santa Claus or greet Ronald McDonald, but that's a different thing altogther. I know beyond reasonable doubt that they're evil.

Still, one fear often forces us to overcome another, showing what a thin line it truly is between bravery and cowardice.

Soon after I turned four and shortly before my family left California, we went to Disneyland. I loved it as any kid would. I had no problem going up to the fluffy tall Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck. We walked around for hours participating in various games and rides. It was everything a four year old could want from a trip.

But then in the middle of it, everyone other then me wanted to ride a roller coaster. It was designed so that a kid could ride as well as an adult, but I wanted no part of it. As we stood in line, I watched others zooming around through a hill, blazing along on the track. To me this seemed wrong. Why would I want to go zipping around when I could stay safely planted on the ground?

Still the others insisted, and so, when it was our turn to board, I didn't fuss or whine, I just told my mom I was too scared. My family did their best to convince me that it was safe and that I would have fun, but it was no use. Finally after a brief discussion with the guy who ran the ride, my mother informed me that everyone except me would be getting on and that the guy who opperated it would watch me till they got back.

This is where that whole 'shy' thing comes into play.

Everyone boarded and was seated. I stood next to the strange man, looking from him to the others. I watched as my family was secured in place. Then the man flipped the switch and the ride began to move. Like that I was done weighing things out in my head. I ditched the guy operating the controls and chased after my family, little legs a blur.

I can't imagine they were going too fast if I was able to catch them, but everything is relative when you're that small. As I came up beside my family I lept over the small gap into the section they were in. The rows were all full and there was no place for me to buckle in, but I was held onto tightly as we rode. I found it to be nowhere near as bad as I'd imagined, and was actually disappointed that the water fall didn't hit us as it looked like it should have.

Was it bravery that turned me into a miniature daredevil? No, it was fear. But it helped me to overcome another fear, and after all, isn't that part of being courageous; overcoming our fears? Besides, how many other people can say they've jumped onto a moving roller coaster? Not many I reckon. But that's just a day in the life when you're a former four year old bad ass like myself.