Last Thursday I finally took my annual trip to the Wet 'n Wild Waterpark in Phoenix. I love waterparks and try to go at least once every summer. They're great places to cool off, get some adrenaline going, and play or relax in the water. I love spending time there.
So, I was taking advantage of the last weekday the park would be open for the summer as Phoenix kids go back to school this week. I had nothing on my mind except having a good time.
And then, out of the blue, an opportunity presented itself to help. I was standing in a very long line for a particular waterslide ride. It's a large round raft that seats up to 5 people and goes around lots of curves as it descends gradually about 4 stories down to the ground. As I was waiting in line I met Trinity, a 5 year old girl who was there with her Aunt Jessica. They were in line behind me. I was chatting with them for a while when I noticed a little girl crying directly in front of me. The young couple with her were trying to console her and trying to talk her into going on the ride. Apparently she was getting scared and had changed her mind about going on the ride. She was also about 5 years old. I watched for a few seconds - and then I got an idea. Trinity had already told me she had been on the ride before and really liked it. So, I leaned down and said, "Hey, Trinity, could you do me a favor? It looks like the girl in front of me is scared. Maybe you could tell her what you just told me - that you went on the ride and it was really fun. Would you do that?" Well, Trinity immediately got shy and shook her head no. So, I thought for a second and asked, "Is it ok if I tell her what you told me?" And she nodded her head. So, I introduced myself to the young couple (who it turned out were her aunt and uncle) and told the 3 of them what Trinity had just told me. Still, the little girl (whose name was Kia) was stll feeling scared and more tears flowed. So, I thought for another moment and came up with another idea: maybe Kia would be willing to ride with Trinity in the same raft. I asked them and they both agreed. The 2 girls started talking and getting to know each other while we waited the last 5 minutes in line.Kia and Trinity ended up going together with Jessica and Kia's aunt while I ended up riding with Kia's uncle and someone from another group. When I got down to the bottom I went up to Kia and congratulated her for her bravery and asked if she liked it. She said yes. I thanked Trinity for the kindness she showed Kia by inviting her to ride in the same raft.
Although I may have orchestrated the whole thing, it was really the kindness of a 5 year old girl and her willingness to reach out and help someone that led to a happy ending.
It turned out to be a great day at the waterpark.
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