Life as seen from a rollercoaster

You know the feeling you get the moment the safety bars come down on a rollercoaster, a little nervous a little scared and a whole lot excited. That moment when you hear the click of the safety lock and  you think “do I really want to do this, is it too late to get off, this is crazy,” you push up on the bar and it does not move, then comes the split second  rush of fear and anxiety followed by the realization that is too late now and you better hold on and enjoy the ride.  That’s where I find myself today.

I remember a day similar to this one a little over 9 years ago, posting on a Cruise forum I said “ Wow That was great. thanks for the link. The next time the Dawn backs out we will be on it. It's like being in line for a big rollercoaster. You watch it leave and know the next time it comes back it is your turn. Exciting ,scary, anticipation.” We were deep into winter in the Adirondacks and preparing to go on a cruise, a cruise that would include our first visit to Roatan. I was participating in a Cruise blog and I found myself watching  the Norwegian Dawn leaving its New York City port on a live web cam . Many details of that cruise are included in previous posts.  

It is amazing how much things have changed in the years between these rollercoaster analogies. The kids gave grown, friends have come and gone, white winters and hot summers have passed, and here we are on the Rollercoaster with the safety bars about to click in to place. 

Over these years of anticipation we have found ourselves drawn to this very moment. Upon our first visit 9 years ago with my first sight of the island I know I was hooked.  By the end of our short day there the  sights, sounds, flavors, waters, and most of all people had seeped into my soul.  While we wondered around the amusement park over the years my eyes were continually drawn back to the one big ride , the rollercoaster.

We finally got in line for this wonderful ride when we ventured to Roatan for our two week visit two years ago.  Upon returning home the decision had been made we had found our piece of paradise in a magical patch of land on the hill overlooking West End. As we submitted purchase offers and negotiated prices we became penned into the long rollercoaster line by all the people who got in line behind us, friends , family, associates, excited acquaintance’s, even some people we did not know.

The line has been slow and with many twists and turns. Much like a Disney park ride there have been many distractions along the way and those moments where you find yourself thinking “does this line really lead anywhere or is this all just a joke”.  Sometimes the rollercoaster was not even in sight just more people, more obstacles, more time, and more line.  

But here we are the day dreams are coming to an end the wait is almost over, architectural drawings are done, permits are approved and the builder is ready to go. By this time next week the money will be sent , supply lists will be prepared to order and the process will begin. The safety bars will be clicked in and we will begin our slow assent to the top of the first steep drop of this rollercoaster ride.