Something to prove
By PATRICIA GRAHAM, T-L Lifestyles EditorKIDS ARE made of pretty strong stuff. Heck, despite the fact that we have, as a whole, become a society of overprotective parents, worrying about every little bump - physically and emotionally, they seem to come out just fine.
In my brood, I have observed my youngest continually trying to prove that he is just as tough and just as brave as his older brothers. Neal always seems to have something to prove.
He has to catch more balls when playing baseball. He has to make more touchdowns when playing football. If his brother comes home carrying a report card with five As and 2 Bs, he has to have seven As on his report card. If his brother carries one bag of groceries up the steps, he will carry two bags and a gallon of milk.
He will argue a point to his last breath. He will smile the widest in photos and try to get the biggest laughs when he is with his friends. To say he likes to be the center of attention would definitely be an understatement. He likes to be noticed and, at the same time, can be a little shy when recognition comes his way.
Still, no matter how many balls he catches, touchdowns he makes, grades he brings home or laughs he gets, he is still the "baby" and that fact is pointed out to him every day.
He is not "big." He is the youngest kid, the third brother, the last Graham boy, the fourth of four. He is the little brother and his big brothers and sister rarely let him forget it.
When the family planned an outing to Kennywood, my "little" boy proudly announced he was going to ride all the rollercoasters in the park. He had something to prove - to himself and to his siblings.
I was stunned.
On our last few outings to the amusement park, he was too small to even contemplate riding coasters and spent the day in kiddie area with his grandmother. The next time, he was able to ride some of the regular rides but still too short to join the family on the big coasters.
This year was going to be different.
My husband and I had already come up with an elaborate plan which involved each of us taking one of the younger boys and using cell phones to stay in touch with the two teens who, we were sure, wouldn't want to be caught dead with us until they needed money.
Neal's big decision meant it wouldn't be necessary for us to split up He was eight and he was going to ride the same rides as the rest of his coaster-loving family. No more Kiddy Land for him. He was ready to step up to the gate, have them measure his height and strap in for the ride(s) of his life.
I went to the park's website and was able to print out a list of height requirements for the rollercoaster and we spent at least three days continuously measuring him just in case he grew and was suddenly tall enough to board another coaster on his list.
He studied his tennis shoes and decided which made him taller and practiced standing ramrod straight so as not too miss out in one centimeter of height.
By the time we reached the park, the list of rides was well-worn and committed to memory. He knew every ride he was eligible to go on and determined to see his quest through.
At a whopping 53 inches in height, he was able to go on the Thunderbolt, Aero 360, Cosmic Chaos, Phantom's Revenge, Pittfall, Musik Express, Racer, Wave Swinger, Log Jammer, Pirate, Jack Rabbit and Pittsburgh Plunge.
I was sure hewould not have the stuff to carry through with his plan. I was sure nerves would kick in and the good-natured teasing from his brothers about how "scary" some of the rides were would eventually get the best of him.
He stepped up to the Jack Rabbit and climbed on board without even flinching. He was giddy after tackling the Phantom's Revenge and was in line for the Log Jammer about three times. My heart was in my throat each time he passed the turnstile and jumped into a coaster car. I was afraid he'd panic and want to get off and we'd have to face the inevitable embarrassment he would endure walking away from a ride his brothers and sisters were enjoying without fear.
I should have been less uptight.
The only time fear ever crept into his little face was on the Aero 360 which, as the name implies, seats riders on two arrows that swing around 360 degrees, leaving them "hanging" in mid-air at several points.
I was sitting across from him on this ride and watched helplessly as he pressed his eyes closed and repeatedly asked when it was going to be over.
Although a bit of fear crept into his system, his smile could not have been wider as his older brothers and sister congratulated him on riding the terrifying ride at such a young age.
I suppose the passage of time will allow him to realize that when it comes to the love of family, there is no last - everyone is first. And, he was definitely first in the bravery department on that day.
(Graham can be reached at tgraham@timeleaderonline.com)
