Dear Son #2,
When we got Canada’s Wonderland passes last year for the first time, I had an idea of how the dynamics would play out.
Pieter – Would try new rides cautiously, be open to big rides and only when he felt like it. Correct.
Alexander – Would want to ride absolutely everything multiple times over but because he doesn’t eat his green beans, would be too short. Correct.
You – Would stick to Kidzville, mainly the swans, because you would be too afraid to try anything. Wrong. Oh so very wrong.
I don’t like to necessarily label you boys but as your mother I have obviously come to understand and (most of the time) appreciate your different and sometimes very colourful personalities. William, my dear, sweet middle child – as soon as I think I may have you figured out, you throw another curveball and prove me wrong.
The latest curveball has been our trips to Canada’s Wonderland this summer. Last summer you were more daring than I ever thought you would be. The sweet, sensitive and empathetic son that I thought I knew so well, turned into a crazy adrenaline junky once we stepped into this theme park.
Two weeks ago we went to Wonderland and to your absolute delight you had grown just enough to finally go on Yukon Striker. One of the best and scariest rides in the park, in my opinion.
With a height of 223 feet and drop of 245 feet into a tunnel under a pond there was a definite pause on your end when I said “Let’s get in line!!”. You looked suddenly worried, the excitement had taken a back seat momentarily. After all it is a 90 degree drop (with a 3-yet-feels-like-30-second-pause at the top) and reaches a speed of 130 km/h so there are some things to consider. Like living. Being the caring mother that I am, I shoved you into the line and told you I would hold your hand and not to worry it was super fun.
The closer we got to the front the more we were joined with Willy-hand-flapping, nervous glances at the drop and your face slowly got paler despite the heat of the day. You made sure to tell the attendant at the gate that we had no interest in going in the very front so to not even think about putting us there. Fair. And suddenly, we were next.
As a Mom it’s always a fine balance when it comes to pushing our kids in—what we feel to be—the right direction. Push too little and they would never try new or hard things, push too much and you push them away. Now, while I felt at least 80% certain you would enjoy this ride beyond belief, that 20% definitely felt more prominent as the roller coaster began it’s ascent. Then even more so when we reached the top and paused for that very long 3-seconds. In fact, the 20 turned into more of a 30 or 40 as I glanced nervously over at your white face.
Then it let go.
We flew down the vertical drop and while I have gone on this ride multiple times, it still scares the poop out of me so I proceeded to scream my lungs out. Afraid to look over at you but knowing I had to, I quickly glanced between my flapping cheeks, fearing the worst.
Honestly.
You were LAUGHING. Giggling away like it was the funniest thing you’ve ever experienced.
“WILLIAM!” I managed to choke out as we whipped around the first corner then plummeted again leaving my stomach somewhere near the water park. “Are you laughing??”
“YES! This is GREAT!” you squealed back at me.
I then felt 100% certain on my decision to be a little pushy. Phew.
Once we landed back and all my body parts—kind of—found me again, I asked you what you thought.
“AWESOME!!” you replied enthusiastically, “Let’s do it again!!”
“No,” I replied shaking my head in disbelief, “I’m ready for the swans now.”
William, you turned nine over the weekend and, like the Yukon Striker, you enjoyed every minute of it. I love seeing what an amazing young man you are becoming. So caring, joyful, sweet, selfless and apparently insanely fearless too. Keep throwing me these curveballs buddy because not only does it keep life most interesting but helps keep the Gravol stocks up too.
Love you Willy, happy birthday!
Love Mommy,
XOX
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