Jimbo's Jots

When I was a kid growing up, it was Six Flags outside of St. Louis. Our family would load up in the van, drive 4 hours, run around the park for a day only to take a break for food, which we had packed in coolers. In college, I was introduced to Cedar Point. I thought at one point it would be cool to visit every amusement park in the United States.

I could run around the park without as much stopping for food. I could get off of one coaster or park ride, and run to another. One summer, I was traveling in a singing group representing my college. We had a day off and went to Cedar Point. My two friends and I rode the Gemini five rides straight – we would get off, run back to the entrance and get back on the next car.

This past week, I took another group to Cedar Point. I noticed something this time around. I didn’t run from ride to coaster, back and forth. It was more of a leisurely stroll. My wife and I both had said at one time, “Maybe we’ll be that old couple that still likes to ride the rides!” Well, we still do! It just takes us a bit to get ourselves up for the rides. I only got on two of the big coasters. Part of it was the heat (93 degrees with a feels like 101!) Part of it was my body responding to being jostled and flung about on the rides.

So I sit here and think about how that is like our lives! When we are young, we feel like we can face any challenge like a roller coaster. The tallest hills and deepest dips! The twisty loops and the fastest turns! Then as we get a bit older, we may still like the ride. As much as the twists and turns that happen in life, it seems our time to recover takes a bit longer. We long for a long break in between the ups and downs, rights and lefts.

I’ll probably go back to Cedar Point! I look forward to it! I also still enjoy to ride of my life! There are days when I feel a bit jostled and twisted! Yet, I know, if I take the time to slow me down, I’ll be ready for the next ride!

Be blessed! Be a blessing to others!