"Childhood Magic" by Elena Goodrow

Throughout my life I have found myself searching for ways to ignite my inner child. I had no choice but to grow up much faster than I wanted to as I was 100% responsible for administering all of my own medications and treatments from a young age. When I think back to my childhood, joy and fun times are things that do not immediately come to mind. I don’t consider myself to have had an unhappy childhood, my Mom always found ways to keep life fun. However, all of that fun was often interrupted by treatments or hospital stays. There was one place that I felt like I could truly let loose and have endless fun. Why was it this one place in particular? I’m not exactly sure, all I know is that every time I went there I was able to let go of anything that was troubling me. I was able to forget about CF and medicines, throw my hands in the air, and scream. Six Flags Over Georgia was my safe haven. An amusement park near Atlanta is where my inner child has always been able to blossom.

Above is me in the pink t-shirt with my Mom, cousin, and grandfather.

The first time I went to Six Flags I was 6 years old. During that time in my life I was close to needing a feeding tube, and my family was trying very hard to encourage me to eat. Luckily I did not end up needing a feeding tube, which could be due to the fact that my parents created a reward system. Everytime I reached a new weight milestone we would throw a party. For my 40 pound party we went to Chuck E. Cheese’s, a kids party venue/arcade. For my 45 pound party, we went to Six Flags. 

Pictured below is me in the light blue tank top with my Aunt, Mom, and cousin.

There was something about the freedom of flying through the air on a roller coaster that helped my overactive, worrisome brain turn off for just a few minutes. After all the fun I had on that first trip to Six Flags, going to the park started to become a tradition. I was homeschooled due to having CF and trying to limit exposure to sickness, and lucky for us Six Flags hosted homeschool days. Tickets were free as long as you submitted a worksheet showing you read a certain amount of books during the summer based on grade level. Each summer after a couple weeks of reading, we would go to Six Flags. It was one of my favorite times of the year. 

Pictured above is me in a light blue tank top sitting with my Aunt.

As my siblings got older and were able to ride more of the roller coasters, we started to go more often. We got memberships so we could go all year round and I quickly discovered that I loved to go during the holidays. You weren’t baking in the hot Georgia sun, the park wasn’t nearly as busy, and the lights were simply gorgeous. Every tree, building, and ride is covered with colorful lights. There is festive music and fun outfits, it’s the best time to attend Six Flags in my opinion.

In my adult life, of course I continue to go to Six Flags! This year I had a membership and went several times. In fact, I just went for the final time this year where I introduced my girlfriend to the magic of Six Flags during the holidays. 

No matter what kind of stress is going on in my life, I know that the best way to reconnect with my inner child is a trip to Six Flags Over Georgia. The one place I can let go of everything, and fly through the air.