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| Coney Island, New York |
This is my thanks to you, all of you, who ride the roller coaster. You know who you are. Each of you helps me in unique ways, through words and advice, through humor and wit, through experience and faith, through small gifts of the heart. As I chug up the hill, my heart racing, you sit beside me and when we're perched there, shocked into silence, tears streaming down our faces, you sit beside me. And when we finally plunge over, our hands either raised or clenching the bar, you scream with me, the wind in our faces. There's nothing to do but scream, you say. Or you might exclaim, It's impossible! your head thrown back. We come up from our mutterings and shine together, you and me, the wind in our faces, the descent always more thrilling than the climb. And so it goes, up and over and down, a wild ride.
It is such a privilege to ride this roller coaster with you.
ReplyDeleteHold on. I will too.
You are a poet, a thrilling one. I love this.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't write a book with these, I'm going to be mad at you.
ReplyDelete(I know that will strike fear in your heart).
This.
DeleteWhat they said above. Over and over. For as long as and forever. xoxo
ReplyDeleteNo words, again. Thanks for sharing it. xo
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. Your writing gives me chills.
ReplyDeleteLove your writing. Hate roller coasters, real and figurative. Always have. Give me the bumper cars any day. At least there is the illusion of control.
ReplyDeleteMe, too. And you know what? I'm not sure about the illusion of control with the bumper cars -- I imagine hordes of people trying to get away from you at the wheel!
DeleteStrap in, baby. Here's to knowing you've got friends next to you.
ReplyDeleteLove.
This is exactly what we have, each other and the ride. Life as a John Prine song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNu46mpJC60 Sometimes the descent more terrifying. Still, we buy another ticket. xo
ReplyDeleteOh, I love John Prine -- used to live in Nashville and saw him around town all the time.
DeleteI would rather a slow train ride across a plain without many mountains or valleys....
ReplyDeleteMe, too, actually! Mountains and valleys in the distance --
DeleteYeah, Elizabeth recalcitrant school boys are a tough go since the beginning of schools, boys and time. Been and going through it 5 times. Like labor pains but it's a life time.
ReplyDeletei'm right there with ya', sister. and thanks for sharing the photo of the hot babes!
ReplyDeletebird by bird, eee.
ReplyDeleteexquisite.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, beautiful post it made me cry. I am not keen for coasters either, but LOVE some of the names. Viper, Scream, Nemesis, Millenium Force...they sound so formidable. Have often thought about naming my own roller coaster life..think something like "The Beast" would best describe it. Happy to have you to help me tame it.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. The Beast would do. And I'm not sure we're taming it, but we're certainly game for the ups and downs, no?
DeleteI am trying to become one of those folks who relish in the plunging drops from high to low. But as someone terrified of heights, that "sudden drop" seems to pull every last bit of air out of my lungs and then I hear you whispering, reminding me to breathe.
Deletep.s. I really love your new blog photo!
DeleteThe ride without a friend beside would be a very lonely thing indeed. Though I loath roller coasters after my first and only harrowing adventure, they are a wonderful metaphor for life. Great photo.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful, my friend. This one is going into my December round-up for sure. xoxoxo
ReplyDelete