During my years of growing, on my birthdays my mother and father would plan one special trip for that day. This day, August 28, I was celebrating my fifth birthday. My special trip this year was a day at the Columbia Gardens. Unfortunately, on my birthday the rides were closed, so I had to wait for another day. Finally, after waiting for what seemed an eternity it was time to go. It was the first time I had ever been to the gardens and sadly, but unknowingly to me it would be my last. The weather was warm and sunny, just perfect for a trip to the amusement park. As we approached the entrance, large crowds of people old and young alike seemed to cover the entire park. I marveled at the splendor of this magical place. It reminded me of something plucked from the pages of a fairy tale.
    At the time I did not associate the name with the place, but all the same I was fascinated by the display of brilliant colors set forth by mother nature. The grass was a deep forest green topped with rows of rainbow colored flowers and dotted with trees of every shape and size. Once we started through the park my anticipation grew and my shyness gave way to sheer delight. I was bouncing from one place to another, like a rabbit in a garden, urging my parents to keep up. My father was the photographer and laborer trying to please my requests by pushing me on the merry-go-round and sundries of other manually operated rides. My mother obtained the position of co-rider on the biplane and roller coaster. This would have been all right except for the fact she is terrified of heights. One of the wonderful memories brought to mind by this photograph is, if you look closely to my left side tucked in the shadows from the awning of the carousel, is my lovely mother. She was never far from my side then or now. Before we ventured to the rides, my parents decided to eat lunch. We ate on the boardwalk by the pavilion, where music filled the air. However, at five years old I was more interested in the rides instead of eating, so naturally I ate quickly.  The first ride we went on, leaves me with one of my most vivid memories: I wanted to ride the roller coaster, so off we went. As we were getting in our seat, I became a little hesitant, but my mother reassured me and gently urged me on. She had one of the bravest faces I can remember seeing on someone who was more frightened then I was. During the ride I turned to look at my mother she had a death grip on the security bar and the other tight atop her head holding her wig on. This sight far surpassed the thrill of the ride. I was laughing so hard at her that I barely noticed the popcorn, butterflies in my stomach from the cars rising and falling on the winding track. During the day we munched on  cotton candy, soda and plenty of other treats. As the sun set in the western sky, the park took on a new life. The rides were glowing with what seemed a million lights and they were even more magnificent now rather then earlier in the day. It was almost closing time when the operator of the carousel offered one more ride. As the carousel made turn after turn, I was mesmerized by its lights and gentle motion. I did not realize that the young man let the ride go for more than 20 minutes. A tired mother lifted her five-year-old daughter down from the ride and as we left I turned and waved goodbye to my favorite horse, (the one in the photo.) As quickly as it began it was over.
    It truly was a special gift. However, I did not realize just how special, until I began writing this paper. The photograph was taken September 4, 1973. This was the last day the Columbia Gardens would hear the ringing laughter of children or the whispers of young lovers on the boardwalk. When my mother lifted me down from the carousel, it was the last time that magical ride would ever turn.  I now know with a sadness I cannot begin to explain, it was in the harshest of realities "THE LAST RIDE!"