Christmas

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Throwback Thursday -- Amusements

When I was young, we summered at the shore, and part of that time included going to the boardwalk and “doing the rides.” I enjoyed the ones that were simple – merry-go-round, tilt a whirl, caterpillar, but I was afraid of heights. The rest of my family loved the thrill of roller coasters and other frightening rides, but I cringed. I never wanted to let others know of my fear, nor did I want my siblings to surpass me. So, I sucked it up, swallowed my fear, and went on the scary amusements with them.

As the roller coaster would slowly climb the hill, I stared at my feet. Then I couldn’t see how high we were. Then there was that pause at the top, and I’d be petrified. The fast plunge down the slope made my stomach lurch, but I never exhibited the face of fear.  I was too embarrassed to admit how frightened I was of going on those rides. I kept up the pretense well into my teens, but then I got smart.

My husband and I liked to take the kids to entertaining areas in the summer. Their choice usually included amusement parks and those dreadful rides. When the children were young, I could escape my fears and put them on the little fire engines or boats. However, they soon outgrew the baby rides; eventually, they were clamoring for roller coasters. They begged us to join them, and my husband was more than willing. I, on the other hand, had ready-made excuses. One time, when we went to Hershey Park, my husband and kids tried to persuade me to go on the old wooden coaster. After refusing for a while, I ended up capitulating to their pleas. Guess what? The ride was as bad as I remembered – my heart was pounding and I was a bowl of jelly when I finally exited. That was several years ago, and it was the last time I ever went on a ride. After that, when the others wanted to do amusement parks, I’d find alternate pleasures. At Hershey, I’d roam through the gardens and museum. In Williamsburg, they would go to Busch Gardens, and I would go on tours of plantations or shop in the town. At the shore, I sat on a bench or found interesting stores. They went to Disneyworld without me – and I was fine with it! It was a win-win for all of us.

These days, I wouldn’t even consider going to an amusement park. First of all, the sensory overload would demolish me. The quick-moving, brightly lit park would cause my eyes to go haywire, and the noise would be devastating. And, oh yeah, I wouldn’t be able to walk around at all! So, when my family and friends visit these places, I look at their photos, and I’m happy that they had so much fun. But I never want to visit amusements again!

Peace,
Muff


8 comments:

  1. Now, why does one go to an amusement park? To have new experiences. Well, in the MS world, we get new experiences all the time, I certainly don't need sensory overload, loud and unavoidable things I can't get deal with, or a long list of fill-in-the-blank things that aren't working today. Me, I go outside and watch the house finches nuzzle and squabble, squirrels chasing each other and chattering, and how certain bees like certain flowers but not others, but different bees don't like those flowers, they like those over there. The color of the sky, the scent of the wind, which is often the breath of the mountains that lie north of the valley we live in. And good God, you got little ones to play with? There's an amusement park right there. Fun is all around us, if we'd just *notice* it. And, with luck, enjoy it!

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    1. Now those are amusements I enjoy! Mostly I see nature through my window, but I enjoy the view. The little guys are always amusing. They think my wheelchair is "Nanny's stroller," and they swing on the walker! So, you're right, I do have amusements without the scariness!

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  2. boy am i with you on this one muff!! i never enjoyed roller coasters and also faked it as a kid!!

    now i don't even enjoy the boardwalk much. too many people, too many blinking lights and way too much noise. i do enjoy fireworks, lucky for me that we live close by and can just "do" the fireworks and come home!!!

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    1. There are always fireworks near us -- we can see Philadelphia and the Penn's Landing fireworks as well as the ones at Campbell's Field and the USS New Jersey. They're both minutes away, and I can "Ooooh and Aaahhh" to my hearts content!

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  3. OOO, I love those scary rides and my grandson gets great joy from dragging me onto them and then laughing at my screaming.

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    1. Yikes, you ARE a brave woman! Good for you!

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  4. This we don't have in common. One of the things I most miss are roller coaster rides! What a rush. I'd go back after each ride and get in line for the next one.

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    1. You're a lot like my sister. She loves roller coasters and went on them with my kids, laughing and screaming the whole time. I'm the wimp of the family!!

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