I Swear You Will Be Fine

Dear Josh,

There aren’t many places that all 3 of us like. But we all loved Universal Studios. It was a weirdly happy place for us. I don’t know what it was, but we spent so many days there.

As always, we were spoilt. Mum quickly realised on one of our visits that an annual pass made the most financial sense. 2/3 visits alone would make our money back. Of course, it wasn’t just an annual pass. It was an annual pass with access to the fast lane.

So we made the most of it. I still remember the first time we got those passes and how excited we were. Remember, we got our photos taken for the ‘ID’ needed to get in? We did all the rides so many times.

We eventually got a routine down. Mum would take the both of us to Universal while she had a coffee outside and read her ipad. Within 90 minutes, we made the most of the annual pass. We would start with the Transformers ride, and then both Human and Cyclone. At the time, the latter were the largest twin roller coasters in the world. For as long as I can remember, you loved them. When I would chicken out after the first ride, you would go repeatedly. I still remember 9-year-old you being asked by other visitors if you were alright, not realising you had chosen this willingly.

We’d end every trip with The Mummy. We would speed past all the other theme park goers in the old, Egyptian-esque building. It’s rare for us to be in agreement, but we both knew that first ride was the best visually/technically, the second on pure adrenaline, and the third for the storyline.

We spent a lot of time at Universal Studios. Do you remember when I lost my Phantom of the Opera cap on the Shrek rollercoaster? Or when we snuck Mama in under Dad’s annual pass. I think Universal holds a special place for you and Shalini as well. Our last trip with the three of us was Japan. Despite all the cultural sites available, we opted to visit every theme park instead. We argued in one of them. You wanted to do a rollercoaster that I didn’t. I think I was complaining about neck pain. I wish I had gone with you so, so badly.

I’m meant to go to Universal in a few weeks. I’m not sure if I’ll have a nervous breakdown when I’m there. But I promise, I’ll do all the rollercoasters. Transformers, Human & Cyclone and The Mummy. I should have done them with you every time you asked.

It’s Mother’s Day today. I’ve been lacking massively in most areas lately, including daughter/grandaughter duties. Please look after Mum and Ammamma for me. This is still a 2-man job.

Love you so, so much,
Acca