Personal Narrative: A Reminiscing Ride

A Reminiscing Ride
Roller coasters epitomized all I feared. Automated cars that took control of your life for some time in exchange for "excitement". Despite my fear of roller coasters, my friends pressured me into getting on California Screamin’ simply reasoning that we wouldn’t always visit Disneyland. “God, forgive my sins,” I thought as we climbed onto the coaster.
I’m not much of a hugger, but I sturdily embraced the safety bar. At the first drop in the coaster, I fell back into a dark, repressed memory. I was prepping for an upcoming Ultimate Frisbee match with my friends, Eh and Bee, in the third grade. We decided to practice on a soft, grassy area next to a pool. Just as Eh left to take a drink of water, Bee accidentally shot the Frisbee into the pool. It landed near the edge of the deep end. As I reached for it, I felt a sudden push on my back and fell head first into the pool. Eight feet deep. Twice my height. And I didn’t know how to swim.
Drifting down to the bottom of the pool, I tried to gasp for air. The light quickly faded to pitch black. All I recall next was bright, yellow sunlight in my eyes and a heavy pounding on my chest. As I spit out water, I saw Eh. He just saved my life.
While Eh wrapped a towel around me, I looked for Bee, who was nowhere to be found. I felt betrayed. I just thought, “Why would he do it?” I
Although overcoming my fear of swimming required courage and humility, triumphing over roller coasters merely required encouragement from my friends. Knowing that I could conquer my fears and combat my weaknesses, my anxiety was rebuffed. Fear to set inherent restrictions on my success. Identifying faults to break through those barriers, I eliminated each weakness. Swimming and roller coasters were hurdles in my path, but I leaped over the barriers. And as I continue to better myself, I strive to surpass the goals I set for myself, achieving success and emotional