Page 34 - Images Literary Magazine 2016 - 2017.pdf

The Ride of My Lif e ?You should go,? he said, making me feel a little braver. Suddenly, Maddie, Erin and Charlotte were
BY Raine Osmanski, Gr ade 8
?Thinking will not overcome fear but action
will,? -W. Clement Stone
As my body twisted and turned in various directions, I
thought two things to myself: Why am I here? I don?t want to be
here. Left and right, up and down, the roller coaster overtook
my body, and I lost all control. My vision blurred, and all I could
feel was the winding track of the coaster. The moment my head
knocked back and forth on my seat causing a pounding headache was the same moment I realized one
very important thing: I did not like roller coasters. At the age of only six, I developed a severe fear of roller
coasters. As an extremely anxious person already, I knew from the beginning that this would not be an
easy phobia to overcome. Amusement parks became less of an amusement and more of a burden, and
watching all my friends and family have fun without me became a real struggle. I felt very left out, and I
wanted to be able to go on big, daring rides like everyone else, but one thing always got in my way, and
that was my own head. I would tell myself that I was not brave enough, or that something terrible would
happen to me. So, I made the decision to steer clear of roller coasters for a whole six years, until I finally
decided to stop listening to myself and start taking chances.
As someone who suffers from anxiety, I always let my insane thoughts control what I do. So when I
developed a fear of roller coasters, I had no intentions of ever going on one ever again. Going through the
same pain and stress that I already suffered through once did not seem pleasant to me, so why do it
again when I could easily choose not to? This seemed like a fool proof plan, until I went to Hershey Park in
2015 with my soccer team. After years of avoiding roller coasters, I realized for the first time everything I
was missing out on. Watching all my friends run off together, laughing and raving about enjoyable rides,
finally hit me and I felt extremely left out. But the small voice inside my head telling me how terrible roller
coasters were always interrupted my plans of having a good time.
As I walked around Hershey park, I examined the roller coasters around me. One that particularly caught
my eye was a ride titled The Great Bear. It was a deep purple and black and was buried behind trees and
bushes, except for one corkscrew turn that I had perfect view of. After watching people twisting through
that corkscrew all day, screaming their heads off with joy, I began to wonder what it would be like if I
conquered something of that wildness. Slowly, my small meaningless thoughts turned into greater
desires as I longed to giggle and shriek with elation just as all my friends had. I can?t go on that, I thought.
What if it breaks down? What if I hate it? But part of me was saying, Look at how fun it is. I?m missing out,
and all that?s stopping me is myself.
So with great bravery, I sheepishly told my friends Charlotte, Erin and Maddie of my wish to go on The
Great Bear.
?Raine, do you want to come on the roller coaster with us?? Maddie asked enthusiastically. I saw the
excitement written on her face and again thought of everything I was missing out on. With an
apprehensive grin, I turned to face my father.
grasping me and tugging me towards the ride. I looked back once more at all the parents, including my
dad, who waved me off to my doom? or the best time of my life, I wasn?t exactly sure yet. I guess I?m going
on, I thought as I was being rushed onto the line of The Great Bear, something I never thought I could
conquer, yet there I was: a whole step closer.
The line for The Great Bear was short, and I wasn?t sure if that was a blessing or a curse. It gave me less
time to think about backing out, but also less time to mentally prepare myself. My mind was racing as
Maddie, Erin and Charlotte continued to shout words of encouragement.
?It?ll be so much fun, don?t even worry about it,? Erin exclaimed, her blue eyes twinkling, which forced me
to believe her. The line was moving quickly, almost too quickly. I could back out at any moment, I thought
worryingly. But watching Erin, Maddie and Charlotte eagerly motivated me to conquer my fear and calm
my nerves.
Before I could even blink, we were in the front of the line. People yelled around us, no one even looking
scared or hesitant. I envied them, because I had a hurricane in my stomach. Just as I began to wonder if I
shouldn?t go on, the gates opened and we filed in. I wanted to sit on the inside of the ride to make me feel
more protected, which my friends let me do. As I sat in the huge seat, I pulled the yellow belt down to my
waist, continuously and vigorously shaking it to make sure I was strapped in safely. My feet dangled, as
there was no bottom, and like six years before, I lost control of my body, but this time, I didn?t mind so
much.
Finally the ride began. Slowly, but surely, we were off. We started going up a hill and a million thoughts
rushed through my head. This is it, I thought, no backing out now. But my thoughts rushed away as we flew
down the hill at an outrageous speed. My eyes closed and I just felt the ride take me through loops and
corkscrews. Of course I was hollering, but with delight and
not fear. I loved the speed and craziness of the ride, and it felt as if just as soon as it started, it was over.
?Did you like it?? Charlotte asked cheerfully.
?I loved it!? I responded gleefully.
We rushed out of the ride and looked at the on-ride picture. Of course, we all looked like we were
having a great time. As we walked out of the picture section, we thought it would be funny to trick the
parents into thinking I hated it, but then reveal the truth to them.
?Did you like it?? my dad asked once he spotted me. I faked
a frown.
?No? ? I lied. My dad was about comfort me when I told
him the truth. ?Just kidding! I loved it, it was so much fun!?
?That?s great, honey!? He pulled me into a hug and I felt so
proud of myself.
I got over a huge fear that day that I thought I would never
overcome. Though for some, riding a roller coaster may be a
small feat, for me, it was a huge deal. As someone who
usually lets my thoughts ruin my fun, I was glad for once I
could just have a good time, take action, and forget my
troublesome thoughts. That day I learned to let go and I
realized being brave isn?t doing it to because you want to, it?s
doing it even if you?re scared.