Roller Coasters and Freedom

I believe that roller coasters are the closest things to freedom. Freedom is defined as an exemption from external control or interference. As I think about that definition, I think about my life and the times that I have felt freedom. Most of my memories of freedom have been on a roller coaster. I have grown up in a family that is very close and always together but I never felt free. My parents were never really suffocating but they never let me do anything my friends were doing. Even now that I am in college, because I am living at home I feel I still have to ask for permission to do anything. For once I want to be treated as an adult and not as a teenager who is irresponsible and can’t make choices on their own.

Riding roller coasters is something that makes me feel free. As I venture through an amusement park to find the first roller coaster, I can’t wait to feel the freedom. As I get in line for this thrill ride I feel the butterflies start to flutter; a sign of excitement building. As the line gets shorter in front of me a smile comes to my face because slowly freedom is coming. I enjoy this feeling for an entire minute. I am able to feel the wind in my hair and see everything in the park from the top of the roller coaster.

As I leave through the exit of the ride I feel the freedom start slipping from my emotions, like a chill running right through me. I quickly look for the nearest roller coaster and jump in line. I don’t care how long the line is I just need to feel that minute of freedom.

My parents have always been the ones to tell me how to do things and make decisions for me but not when it comes to roller coasters. I pick the roller coaster and for once my parents can’t tell me not to. I will tell them to find a different ride if they want but I am riding this roller coaster whether they like it or not. Roller coasters are like my one rebellion against my parents.

Being a bad kid was never my strong suit: let’s just say my conscience had a lot to do with that. I was always the kid that made good choices, did what was asked of me, and never second guessed what I was told. Roller coasters help me to release that rebellious side so that I can once again be that same good kid.