“Let’s take the boys to Six Flags!” Ten years ago, Chris and I had taken the two older grandsons to Six Flags. I conveniently forgot that Six Flags involved jolting rides, long walks, hot sun, and unhealthy food. I also forgot that we have added ten years of wear to our bodies. Not a problem. We loaded the car with our three younger grandsons. Off we drove for a day of fun.
While still on the highway, I heard Chandler’s voice from the backseat, “I’m going to be sick.” Urgently, I informed Grandpa. Unfortunately, Chris’ hearing lacks some of its former acuity. He continued to drive. Again, “Grandma, I’m going to be sick.” By the time Grandpa got the message, I turned to see Chandler’s head outside the back window with the contents of his breakfast flying in the wind.
We stopped. Chandler gamely wiped off his face. As the three of us cleaned his breakfast from the window, door, and fender of the car, Chandler muttered, “I wonder what the people in the car behind us thought.” In a flash, I got a mental picture of the windshield of that car. “Yes, I’ll bet they felt a bit startled!”
Chandler totally recovered. However, following a ride called The Poltergeist, Elliott announced that he had developed a headache. Grandpa, by the way, looked like a truck had run over him. When Grandpa, Chandler, and Aidan trooped off for more rides, Elliott and I stayed behind. Elliott napped in a booth after assuring me that he would be fine if I scratched his head.
Following Elliott’s head-scratching nap, he revived enough to try more rides. The little guy showed courage and spunk until after the water rides. Looking at a wilted Elliott, Grandpa announced, “OK, Boys, you can have one last ride.”
Aidan and Chandler chose the Road Runner. Elliott waited with Grandpa and me. Minutes later, we saw our boys zip by in the last car with their hands in the air. Aidan and Chandler, of course, had to show their courage. Minutes later, we saw the boys in a middle car—arms still in the air. We waited. The boys did not come down. Elliott wilting even more as he perched on a rock.
Apparently, the teenage attendants allowed the guys to continue riding. Was it the boy’s bravery? After six extra rides on the Road Runner, Grandpa spotted Aidan, shouted his name, and motioned for the boys to come down. At long last, the boys appeared with a logical explanation. “The ride got stuck. We couldn’t help it. The workers said we had to ride again to prove that repairs worked.”
Well — of course! Those silly rides get stuck all the time, don’t they?
Were Grandpa and I tired? Oh, yes! Along with fatigue came our smiles of pleasure. Ten years from now, we plan to do it again!