A proud mama watching the pure pleasure lighting up my son’s face

IT was a hot day, and the amusement park was packed.

Delighted shrieks filled the air as we sipped our ice-cold drinks from the all-you-can-drink refillable cup I’d paid for in anticipation of the heat. My girls split up, and I walked around with my youngest son, who just happens to be the perfect date (unbiased am I).

As we walked up to our first ride, we were pleasantly surprised to discover how my son had grown.  Now he no longer needed someone to accompany him on a ride — and better yet, he was too tall for some of the kiddie rides. Instead, I joined him on some roller-coaster-type ride that jolted me from side to side as we navigated sharp turns at great heights, spun around much too quickly, and, of course, plunged dooooowwwwnnn.

As I climbed off shakily, feeling as if someone had shaken me upside down and rattled all my bones, my son sighed that the ride had been too short. Time to find another ride! Joy. But we walked around the park, going together on some rides, while for others I took a timeout and stood near the gate, a proud mama watching the pure pleasure lighting up my son’s face.