Whoa nellie!!!

is it the speed, the twists, the crazy turns, or the steep falls that make roller coasters so popular?  or it is 'all the above'?  several magazines devoted to roller coasters speak to the concept, design, construction, and the actual experience of rides all around the world.  many of us have spent a day at an amusement park either riding those steel (or wood) monsters or watching others do so.  

so we can, at some level, relate to the long lines of anticipation-- a spectrum of emotions both expressed and hidden--that build with each step closer to the actual ride.  hearing the sounds of the ride and the screams of excitement, delight, and terror add to the whole experience.  people begin offering instructions to their fellow riders as they get closer and closer (e.g., raise your arms/hands, put your arms down close your eyes, open your eyes).  voices are louder, bodies are jumping, fingers are fiddling as the line gets shorter and shorter.  spectators below are watching our every move, pointing at us, and yelling special last suggestions and reminders. 

and suddenly, it's your turn!  as you climb into your seat, the safety gadgets are secured around you, and the attendant signals the ride to begin.  the convoy of cars climb slowly up a long and steep  incline.  that is the l o n g e s t part of the ride, and your head is filled with crazy thought, wild emotions, and the big question...  "will i survive this experience?".

living day to day is, at times, very similar to a roller coaster.  all the twists and turns, the climbs, the falls, and the inclines and the free-falls can make life seem out of control.  sandwiched between those rides are times of waiting and anticipation.  we try to prepare ourselves with suggestions, rules for living, safety nets, and the support of friendships.  how many times have we heard, "i am waiting for the next shoe to drop" or "life is going too well for it to last".  but try as we may, complete and sufficient preparation for what lies ahead just cannot be made.  because when the ride takes off, suddenly we are not in control.  we hang on, scream and yell, close our eyes, and raise our hands in the air not knowing when the next turn, steep drop, or 360 turn will catch us off-guard.

honestly, i have no wise words to offer about getting through those times; i wish for you sake and mine that i did.  there just aren't any guarantees...  no warranties...  no refunds or exchanges.  we have are our past experiences, our friends, our decision-making skills, and our intutions.  with those on-board, we hang on until the ride is over and until the next ride begins.  that is the one thing we can do during those times...  hang on!!  we hold tightly onto what we know as we wait for the roller coaster ride to finish, brush ourselves off, and get into the next line.