By Joe Mazzella
When I was a boy growing up every year the county fair would come in September and set up across the road in the 4-H camp near my home. As soon as I was old enough I would spend every night they were there riding the big rides and enjoying the thrills of them. I learned quickly too never to eat before I was done riding if I wanted that greasy fair food to stay down.
After I grew up I gave up the big rides and instead took my small children on the kiddie ones. I loved seeing the joy in their faces as they rode the Merry-go-round. One ride we all stayed away from, though, was the Ferris Wheel. It was too boring for me and too scary for them. But when my oldest son was full grown he asked if he could ride it. I knew the other adult rides would be too much for him because of his Autism sensitivities but I decided that we could handle the Ferris Wheel.
We got in line and as they loaded one car at a time we slowly moved up the wheel. Finally we were at the top. I looked out from that high perch. The mountains were still green and the sun was just beginning to set over them. The sky was the most breath-taking red and a flock of birds were flying across it. The air was warm and sweet. The laughter from the people below was music for my soul. At that time I was going through a lot of struggles financially, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually but sitting there in that moment I felt such peace. I knew that the same loving God who created this beautiful world was watching over and loving me as well.
Even today when I am troubled I go back to that moment in my mind and I always feel that same sense of peace, that same sense of being loved. God Loves us all so much. He created this beautiful world. And He wants us to live in it with Love. May you always choose peace. May you always choose Love. May you always live your life from the top of the Ferris wheel.
