Great American Scream Machine

The memory is as clear as day in my head

The adrelaline running in my body stopped cold as the Great American Scream Machine came into sight

The name fitting perfectly for its old, broken down, eerie image

It was in the corner of the park millions of miles away from the main entrance

And yet

My 13 year old self still walked those millions of miles

The belts were stapped across me setting in the fact that I cannot change my mind now

I heard the cold, monotone words

"Please keep your hands and feet inside the car at all time for your safety. Thank you and enjoy the ride."

I chuckled nervously and squeesed the hand next to mine as the car jerked forward

A little bit of that fear that was building up inside me

Since then

I've grown

The person behind that hand has taught me that fear is temporary 

It is only there to hold you back

Now 707 miles away from me 

I still hold that close to my heart

I only see him three times a year

If I am lucky

So i try and make up for the time we've lost apart

He's had a rollercoaster of a life so far

As have I

But even at his worst times he is still there as my leaning shoulder

He's learned to put others before him

But never forgetting about himself

That's what sets  him apart from so many others

When my life is going downhill his name woudl be the first my fingers hit on the phone

He would be the first I cry to when things go wrong

The first to make me learn to love life and take risks

The first to help me understand who i am and who i want to become

He is my sunshine on a rainy day

My true happiness that no boy has ever fulfilled

when I see him on christmas day i have a smile like the grinch

I cannot remmeber a dull moment with him

I'd either be laughing at his corny dad jokes

Or taking in all his life lessons that he cannot give to his daughter

But not having a daughter has never held him back 

He is my role model in my life

without him I would not be the girl I am today

It's a struggle

Him not always being there

He has helped me to understand and accept that though

That I am independent

And that's why he is my role model in my life

Ever Since that broken down ride

I've learned to experience, learn, and love all that there is

And it's all thanks to him and the Great American Scream Machine