Monday, August 31, 2009

Laugh or Cry

The line between fun and fear is oh so close.

Just ask my younger child:  He was dying to go on the Sea World roller coaster two years ago; sobbing as his older brother ran ahead laughing like an evil cartoon villian and our still too little hero ached to have his turn being jerked, splashed and wooshed.  As the evil villian returned soaking wet, the sniffling hero was almost as soaked from his own tears.

But this Summer, it was all different.  Mighty Mouse ran to the ride and stood under the deciding line smirking 'cause sure enough, he was about a 1/2 inch in the good.  Then, we all ran to the queue [which was thankfully short due to inclimate weather].  Jumping in the car, he pushed hard on the safety bar to make sure he didn't fly out and off we went.  He giggled and laughed and looked and questioned - it was everything we had wanted it to be.

Three minutes later, we jumped off.  Hooray!  'But wait' says the big brother, that line's soooo short; let's do it again.  YEAH says hero-boy.  Again, we jump in the car and push the safety bar down, but this time it's with a good deal of anxiety:  "Is it tight enough, Mom?"  and then come the tears and screams (not the good kind).  "It's not fun if you think you're going to DIE!!!" he says, but it's too late now.  And this time, it's not fun - for either of us.  He's crying; it's too scary; he never wants to do it again.

Yes, that line between fun and fear is oh so fine.  And sometimes, not knowing what to expect makes it tolerable, but the knowledge of what's to come can fill us with dread.  [I hear this same scenario is played out in the second sky-dive.]

No comments:

Post a Comment