Ups and Downs

Ian and Josh McCarthy were among the many people who were in line to ride the giant and turbulent roller coaster that lay ahead.  For nearly forty minutes, Ian had listened to the excitement and anticipation of his young son’s first time on an adult sized ride.  Josh was filled to the brim with excitement:

“Do you think we will get the front Dad?”

“I can’t wait until it’s our turn!”

“This is gonna be great Dad!”

Ian was feeling the anticipation and excitement too.  Seeing the expressions on Josh’s face brought him fatherly pride and joy.  In addition, the sparkle in his young son’s eyes is the stuff that dads live for.

From the upper platform, where the guests get loaded onto the ride, Josh could see his mother who was standing below.  She had his three-year-old sister in hand and they were both watching and waving as the boys waited for their turns.  He waved at them and his wave had vigor to it as if to say, “Look at me!  Look where I am!”

Finally, their turns had arrived and as luck would have it for the first timers, Josh and Ian were side by side in the front row.  Ian looked down on the beaming face of his son and nonchalantly took an opportunity to double check the work of the ride attendant, who had buckled them in and prepared them for the daring thrill ride that lay just ahead.

“Here we go Dad!”  Josh let out as the ride began its clackity-clack trek up the steep slope before it launched its occupants into the wild twisting, turning and upside down loops, that would eventually return them to the starting platform.

Filled with self-pride, Josh looked toward the ground below one more time to make sure his mom and sister were still watching.

Ian and Josh, being in the lead seats of the sixteen passenger procession, were the first to reach the top, and of course, the first to start the steep downhill run that began the thrill ride.  Ian closed his hand on top of Josh’s, which was tightly gripping the safety bar across their laps.

“Yeeeeee-oww!” screamed Josh, as the group streaked down the track and went into its first tight turn.  “This is great Dad!” he said, barely able to contain his excitement.

“Me too!”  Ian exclaimed even though it took added effort, against the gravitational forces, to get his lips to move.

The ride flattened out on a sharp right turn, and then slowed to climb a