One more reflection on our trip to Walt Disney World.
Being middle-aged, the stomach on this old man can't handle what it used to in relation to thrill rides. Back in the day, I'd be running through the amusement parks headed for the biggest, wildest, fastest ride. It seemed that there wasn't any ride I couldn't conquer. While my parents went to the shows at Marriott's Great America (as it was called back then), I was on the American Eagle, the Tidal Wave, the Demon, and all the others. By the way - those rides don't hold a candle to what Six Flags has now!
At Epcot Center, I went on the Trip to Mars ride. I had a choice - the orange ride (not for the faint of heart) or the green ride (mild version of orange). Not sure why I chose orange, knowing that during the summer of 2007 while at Six Flags I had a "Dad, what's up? You don't look good!" incident on what most would consider a "baby" ride. It wasn't long after the harness was locked on the Trip to Mars ride that I knew I had made a mistake. A return trip to the resort for the rest of the afternoon was in order.
My favorite thrill attraction was at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The Tower of Terror. Loved it! Laughed all the way down, and back up again, and laughed all the way down again. It felt like I was at a ComedySportz show - the body shaking laughter didn't stop. No ill effects. Loved it - went on it twice. Best of the thrill rides there.
But, the best of all really shows my age. Location: Magic Kingdom. Ride name: It's A Small World. Yeah, ok. Go ahead say it. I know what you're thinking. But life takes its twists and turns and things that seemed meaningless ten or fifteen years ago now find new meaning. The last time I floated through the famous ride was eleven years ago. It was nice, the song was addictive (ad nauseum at the time), and the costumes on the children of the world were flashy.
Read the words and imagine the tune in your head:
It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
It's a world of hopes, it's a world of fear
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all
There is just one moon and one golden sun
And a smile means friendship to everyone.
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It's a small small world
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world
So what's different now that makes It's A Small World my favorite attraction? Those life twists and turns have brought me to lead a family with my life partner, Joe. Those twists and turns have brought two beautiful children into our life. Those twists and turns have brought me face-to-face with hate and discrimination. Those twists and turns have caused friends to turn their backs and walk away. Those twists and turns have brought new friends who support and love our family in spite of, and sometimes because of, the diversity of our family.
It isn't hard to celebrate diversity when you're perceived to somehow be different. When you're on the outside looking in, you also become very aware of others on the outside. You understand the necessity to bond together to survive. You appreciate differences. Our world is very diverse - ethnicity, languages, religion, abilities, sexual orientation. But when you stop and reflect, there really is so much that we share. It really is time we are aware that it IS a small world. Even though the mountains seem to divide and the oceans part us, we do all see the same sun and moon. It's a small world, after all!!
