The “Woodies”

“Promise me you won’t ride the roller coaster!” my mother pleaded. “You don’t have to worry about that,” I (Ron) assured her. “There’s no way you’d get me on one of those!” I couldn’t have been more sincere.

I was 14. It was my first time going to Hershey Park. It was with our church youth group – the Paradise MYF (Mennonite Youth Fellowship). I ran with the group into the park and before I knew what was going on, I found myself in line for “The Comet.” Caving to peer pressure, I found myself in a car, being tugged up the long first hill with that chain-pulled-by-gears-rattling sound. Going down that first hill, I was sure that my heart had stopped – I was going to die! If only I had listened to my mother. But as soon as it was over, I was one of the first to say, “That was amazing! Let’s do it again.” And we all got back in line.

This weekend, that memory came back to me vividly. Rather than feeling terror, my heart was filled with praise. On Sunday our family was at Knoebels. We were sure that Matthew would have a great time. Then again, the “Phoenix,” “Twister” and “Flying Turns” were thrills far above and beyond DW’s “Kingdom Coaster” and “Merlin’s Mayhem.” With our season passes (and just two miles down the Lincoln Highway) we had been on both countless times this summer. As for what Knoebels offers, turns out that no ride is beyond him. Matthew would have even gone on the “Impulse” but to that one I said, “No!” (even though theoretically it may not have been as terrifying in one sense because a steel coaster is a smoother ride than the “woodies” we rode). Joan and Kari seemed completely content to follow Matthew and me as we went from one coaster line to the next. Kari was awake and wide-eyed all day!

Many times, I feel very unprepared for the kind of “work” that Joan and I do. So much is on-the-job training. Out of love, we dive in and do the best we can. And often I just feel very old, trying to keep up with my pre-teen boy. I can’t tell you how good it feels to have shared interests like riding the “woodies.”

Thinking about different ways that God has worked in my life and interests that I have developed (such as music and language – two of Matthew’s strengths), encourages me. Matthew tells me often that we’re the perfect parents for him. Other parents watch as Matthew runs to us and hugs us. Some say they only wish their middle schooler responded that way to them.

It seems like an insignificant thing – that a super-cautious, fearful teenager would find himself on a roller coaster and enjoy it.  More than 50 years later, I’m so thankful for that moment – amazed at all the little ways that God has blessed me!