Is it really Saturday already? Wow -- this week, month, year has FLOWN by! Luckily the community is full of fabulous Pinkies like Tracy Swartz to help slow down time a bit and squeeze the joys out of each moment. Happy weekend Pinkies!

I love LOVE roller coasters. I morph into a screaming Mimi, scare lingering bajesuses out my body, and really dig the adrenaline rush. Did I mention that I have a big fear of high, wide-open spaces? Yup, and you will still find me on a thrill ride with my eyes screwed shut, hands in a vice grip on the bar, screaming my head off and wanting more. A few weekends ago, the Fam and I went to Cedar Point, well known for its thrill rides. It was one of those perfect days.

Letting go (and screaming like a banshee)

I like to think of it as Roller Coaster Therapy day.

I was so darn relaxed. I was a walking skin bag of Jell-O by day’s end. Everything and anything that had been niggling, bothering, and pestering me beforehand was gone. Zip. Nada. Buh-bye.

Thrill rides forced me to let go. I had to stay centered and in the present moment facing my fear in its ugly face, over and over. Did it get easier? A smidge -- that is until I took a break and then it was like facing it all over again. Oh it was so fun!

I got to let it all out. Any anger I had in my body was released through banshee-like screams. The Hubs knew what rides scared the pants off me because the “Parental Control Switch” on my mouth was stuck in the off position. Luckily my daughter, a banshee off the old block, was too busy screaming to hear what was flying out of her mother’s mouth.

It was a family-bonding day. As a family unit, we were long overdue for a day of pure fun. We left the world of chores, taking care of business, and dealing with family and estates behind. In other words, we got to run away from it all. Oh and how we ran!

Getting (more) in touch with my inner child

Contrary to popular belief, I do forget to connect with my inner child. (Keep the snickering down, I can hear you.) My inner child and I played and we played hard. It was absolutely freeing to take off the adult mask and simply be. I think I’ll be doing more of that too. (I can still hear you laughing, you know.)

After the last ride of the evening, I was spent physically and emotionally. This particular ride (Magnum) was one I had vowed to never get on. It was the perfect ride to end the evening on. I hadn’t a scream left and the adrenaline tank was officially empty.

I think “Roller Coaster Therapy” will become an annual event for our family. It was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Besides, the Dragster is calling my name. While watching the cars take off, I vacillated between “Oh HELL NO!” and “Oooh that looks like fun!” Oh yeah!

What about you? Do you like roller coasters? How do you get in touch with your inner child, bond with your family, and let go of it all?

Ready to Ride (and scream),

Tracy