Earlier this week my second child turned 18. 

It’s hard to believe that the baby who was so attached to me that they wouldn’t let anyone else hug them, not even their dad, until they were 18 months is now so independent that they’ve secured a contract as an au pair in Italy and will be going to university after their year away. 

My child is so organised and thoughtful that they’ve already packed up all their precious books so they’ll be safe while they’re away. I cried when I saw this because it meant the day when they leave is not far away. 

But the beautiful thing is that they chose to celebrate their 18th birthday with me. We went to Alton Towers together, the first time for both of us, and we had an amazing day. 

My child and I both love rollercoasters. Well, I say we both love them. When I was younger, I couldn’t get enough, but I’ve noticed in recent years that I’m not as comfortable on them. When we went to Oakwood together for another birthday treat a few years ago, they went on Speed over 40 times. I was all done after two go rounds. I put it down to getting old, but Alton Towers this week showed me a different perspective. 

Since it was their birthday, they got to decide what rides we went on and when. Since neither of us had ever been to Alton Towers before, we didn’t quite follow the plan because we got lost trying to find some rides, so went for the closest one at times, but we managed to go on all the big rides at least once, and got a second turn on Oblivion, the Smiler and the Wicker Man. 

I have synaesthesia and one of the ways in which it manifests is that I see physical sensation. It’s something which has become stronger the older I get, so the harder it is for me to keep my eyes open on rollercoasters. Aside from the fact that I’m terrified of heights anyway, the combination of input from my eyes and input from my body as I’m spun around on a rollercoaster is information overload. 

But if I close my eyes… it’s the most beautiful experience. 

The last time I went to a theme park with my husband (almost 20 years ago!), he remarked on how much I scream on rollercoasters. All that input needs to go somewhere!

But Alton Towers was different. Despite the vertical drop of Oblivion and the fourteen loops of the Smiler, I barely made any noise at all. 

And I put it down to meditation. 

I usually have the Ho’oponopono forgiveness prayer running through my mind on repeat. I love you, I’m sorry, forgive me, thank you. And it was no different at Alton Towers. All through the rides, my eyes were closed and my mind was chanting. The only times I screamed was when I was taken by surprise, such as the one ride which suddenly drops you down before pulling you backwards. (I won’t say which one – I don’t want to spoil it for you if you haven’t been on it!)

Instead, I was fully in the moment, loving the sensation of being flipped and twirled at high speed and feeling it in every essence of my being. 

It’s a weird benefit of meditation, to be able to enjoy rollercoasters more deeply, but it’s one I’m incredibly grateful for. It made what was already a very special day even more so.