Sometimes when I’m upset or scared I like to think back to a time when I was a young girl who randomly met a mystifying person who gave me courage.
This person was an elderly woman with an enthusiasm for life!
It all started at the Fantasy Island theme park. It was mid summer and I had nothing to do since school was out and camp wasn’t going on that week, so my mom had the brilliant idea of taking a trip over together. (Of course, as a kid you think that it’s going to be the best day ever just because you get to go to an amusement park.) So needless to say I was jumping all around destroying everything in my path and overall chipper to say the least. I could barely contain my excitement. As we entered the park I had a huge grin on my face that wouldn’t go away! That is, until I walked up to the first ride…
Once I actually got up close to the “belly of the beast” I was frightened. This particular ride was named the ‘Jack and the Beanstalk.’ It was a kiddy ride but it looked so much taller up close then it did when we were further away. I looked at my mom with disbelief as she smiled and shooed me towards the line. Without wanting to disappoint her I took a gulp and stepped up to the line. She went to sit down on a bench close by. I was just avoiding eye contact with the monster so I wouldn’t be too afraid once I got on, and waiting as time went by so slowly.
I guess it was obvious to everyone around me that I was trembling from great fear and at one point a passerby tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I was alright. I slowly looked up with eye’s opened wide to see a woman in about her 80’s or 90’s peering over me with a look of genuine concern on her face. I didn’t know what to say as I could barely mutter out a word. But as it so happened, I didn’t even need to answer. It’s as if she knew what was on my mind. She answered with, “Aww honey, you aren’t going to let this ride defeat you are ya? Sometimes when we are scared we like to give up. But it’s all about facing our fears and not letting them get the best of you. Do you know what courage is?” I stood in wonder absorbing all of what she had to say in instead of trying to reply. She saw this and then continued by saying, “I learned that by acting fine you will be fine!” Then she started laughing loudly until she caught her breath and asked if I wanted her to go on it too just to prove that it isn’t that bad. So of course, I nodded my head yes until the line moved and we walked slowly up to the seats.
Before it took off, my fear was still high but I looked over at the kind stranger who was giving me a thumbs up and I had hope that everything was going to be alright. Therefore, I gave a thumbs up right back and off we went! Everything after that was a blur but in between my screams and unfocused vision, I noticed the lady putting her arms up in the air waving them around and cracking up with joy. I thought to myself how silly this lady is but also how interesting and wise she is as well. I didn’t know her but I aspired to be like her from there on out.
The amusement took it’s course and just like that, in a blink of an eye, it was over with and I was relieved! Once we exited through the gate, I said a meaningful thank you to her as she focused on me and said “You’re welcome!” revealing a toothless smile -her dentures must have fallen out. She started to walk away, but before totally leaving she stopped and stated “Oh and dear, courage is when you are scared of something but you do it anyways. Always remember that.” She shot me a quick wink and then walked towards a crowd of people going in the opposite direction. When I looked for her to come out on the other side she had vanished. I didn’t see her anywhere.
I was definitely puzzled but I was mostly grateful. I learned an important lesson that day from a very unexpected stranger.
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