Roller coasters have long been a secret thrill of mine. I was afraid as a child to ride one. I wasn't exactly exposed to many and certainly we didn't do Dorney or Hershey Park trips. It wasn't until my 30's when I discovered I absolutely LOVED the thrill of being that scared. Kids, life, work, etc. interfered with my passion and until recently, I decided I had to make it happen. Several weeks ago I went to Six Flags with my kids and ended up on the most unbelievable roller coaster in my life... I climbed aboard El Toro with my 13 year old daughter Catherine and felt the anxiety gripping through my body. She looked so happy I couldn't let her down and ask the attendant to get me off this possible heart attack machine. I decided to do it, prayed to some foreign goddess and screamed the entire ride. We laughed so hard when we got off, I was delirious. I couldn't wait to do it again.
Yesterday I organized a "Scream with Me" meetup with my women's empowerment group. Although I was hoping for more women to shed their fears and just do it, the 3 other women who came, were just perfect. Norma, Michelle and Kim were ambitious, fearless and amazing. When we womanly walked over to the ride NITRO, I didn't even notice. There was no line and we proceeded to go on. I had no idea. Apparently, neither did they. OMG. The sheer fear, excitement, thrill, adrenaline of this ride was the highlight of my year. I did it. We did it. It was frightening and so amazing! How awesome. Great team building. We were high fiving for 25 minutes LOL.
Overall, a very successful day with successful women and we all felt it. Many rides, many challenges and we overcame them. A serious self-esteem builder. Loved it!!!
Today, more great stuff...
An impromptu barbecue had lots of friends and family over tonight and the stifling heat led us to some night swimming at the lake. My friend Norma and I ventured out in the deep waters with my babies, Noah and Ella. We swam under a gorgeous moon to the dock where Noah and Ella showed no fear jumping off the low dive into 20 feet of water. We had a blast. The high dive, however, appeared to be waiting for us... It has been years since I jumped off and it scared me to death. 10 feet high, the climb up felt like doomsday! Once up there, it seemed terrifying to walk to the edge of the board and jump. I promised my kids I would do it this year. Was tonight the night?? Yes. I told Norma, I was doing it. She said, "I'm doing it too" Together, we climbed those scary steps and with tremendous trepidation, we did it!!! Not once, not twice, 4 times!!!!! So excited, we were howling in the water! Noah and Ella seeing these hot mamas do it, jumped too. We were all so high with excitement, with determination... it was thrilling! The energy was exploding!
The Miracle Part:
Almost 10 days ago, my 17 year old cat Paulina (originally my mother's), disappeared. She was frail and obviously old. My children and I have been looking for her body in the bushes, along the road, etc. We simply assumed, she died. She comes home every day to eat and drink so 10 days was too much and I was hoping she simply died in peace... After my Olympic jumping off the high dive tonight, I returned, exhilarated to find, Paulina, hurt, frail but alive in my backyard. She is here, fed, resting comfortably and will see the Vet tomorrow am.
Life is so grand. I wish more people would experience it this way. Nothing is impossible. I am on a mission to have as much fun as humanely possible. Won't you join me??
Love, Life and Miracles,
Jordan
"You gain strength, courage and confidence in every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do." Eleanor Roosevelt
All my life I heard the quip that people have kids so they can enjoy childhood all over again. I had the same experience discovering the excitement of roller coasters when my children were little. I think it started at the roller coaster in Ocean Beach in San Diego...the same one my mom had ridden as a child. Later we took on Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, CA, and life was never the same. Finally, the ultimate ride on one of those huge swings with both my kids...the word "swing" doesn't even cover it!! My son, Geordan, was in the position to pull the cord, and both Joanna and I were glad it was his responsibility. There we were precariously hanging practically upside-down, and next thing we knew we were hurtling straight down toward the monster pool screaming all the way only to swoop up (thank goodness!) to the other side. Whew! Delirious fun!
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