The importance of wanting to go to CP

10 years ago I had been diagnosed with kidney cancer and had surgery in April 2003. I was sure that I would not be around for long, but all I wanted was to live long enough to go to CP one last time. 9 season passes later I am now looking forward to 2013. I think that desire helped me to survive this rather scary experience.

Live to ride, Ride to live!

Awesome story! I bottle up all the daily stress and let it out once CP opens. I am like a kid in the candy store (still at age 46). I literally forget about the outside world while within the gates of CP or any other amusement park for that matter.

Knowing CP will open every summer is my drive to keep going through tough times!

Sorry for the delay in my reply. It seems I neglected to update my e-mail address. I only wish I was 46 again, as next July I will be 77.

Thanks for reading my post.

t2fastspin said:
Live to ride, Ride to live!

...and don't sit on the silver rails. Got it.

For those of us who love amusement parks, not just roller coasters, they are magical places. I'm sure there was more to your beating cancer than the desire to see Cedar Point, but if that was one of your motivations to keep living GOOD FOR YOU. The mind and spirit can overcome some of the body's failings, and Cedar Point probably wasn't ready to let you go either. ; )

Allan Birmantas sr said:
Sorry for the delay in my reply. It seems I neglected to update my e-mail address. I only wish I was 46 again, as next July I will be 77.

Thanks for reading my post.

Allan, you're still a spring chicken, my mom is 92 and still loves being in the park.

CP is a great place. Been going there since 1985. What is funny is when it's right, it's magical.

When it's wrong like Six Flags New Orleans it horrifying!

Glad to hear that you still with us! Don't take that the wrong way. Tell that cancer to kiss your A$$!

That's awesome!! So happy for you! Thanks for sharing! I too look forward to going to CP every year and I only started going in 2011. Hey better late than never right?? I'm like a kid at Christmas counting down the days til we go and then I get so excited when we're there. I'm super excited for this year and can't wait to get my fix of coasters and ride Gatekeeper! But when it's all over I'm so sad! :( I've been antsy all winter waiting to go back to CP. I need my adrenaline rush! lol I'm glad you enjoy CP so much and are still here to go back every year! :)

Ride On! I've been visiting the point since I was born to commemorate the loss of my grandfather, who was a firefighter in Cleveland! CP really is more than just an amusement park. :)

Pete said:

Allan Birmantas sr said:
Sorry for the delay in my reply. It seems I neglected to update my e-mail address. I only wish I was 46 again, as next July I will be 77.

Thanks for reading my post.

Allan, you're still a spring chicken, my mom is 92 and still loves being in the park.

Really? That is amazing!

StLCPfan said:
For those of us who love amusement parks, not just roller coasters, they are magical places. I'm sure there was more to your beating cancer than the desire to see Cedar Point, but if that was one of your motivations to keep living GOOD FOR YOU. The mind and spirit can overcome some of the body's failings, and Cedar Point probably wasn't ready to let you go either. ; )

That is for sure, Dr Campbell had something to do with it. He is an amazing surgeon/urologist who currently is at the Cleveland Clinic.

Thank you for all the kind comments, and encouragement. I will be there again this year, but have not decided about the season pass. That 400 mile plus ride is getting longer every year.

Allan,

I can't believe I glossed over this thread without taking a peek to see what it was about. You're an inspiration. :)

The things we love in life keep us going.

Have a great year on the midways!

Thank you Kevin. That is very generous of you to say such nice things. You are right, it is the things and people that we love that keeps life worthwhile.

It was almost like if I lived until that spring of 2003 everything would be OK even after that. Turned out it was just great. I feel very lucky.

I too glossed over this thread for the past few weeks like Kevinj said and needless to say, I'm disappointed I did. Your story is amazing and I hope I get the chance to meet you this summer.

Its stories like yours that help me to not take life for granted! Bless your heart and RIDE ON!!

Meeting someone from Point Buzz would be fun. Our first visit as of today won't be until Jul 30th. Of course things can change.

This is a very inspiring thread indeed.

Reminded me of a man around your age I met power riding the Phoenix at Knoebels last year. He was up to 38 times so far that day. He also told me about his various surgeries and the pins in his knee. But he was fine and really going at it.

I'm 44 and this is good for me to remember when I'm visiting parks, especially when I go by myself, and I start feeling old looking at all the young families and teenagers.

darkrider68 said:
This is a very inspiring thread indeed.

Reminded me of a man around your age I met power riding the Phoenix at Knoebels last year. He was up to 38 times so far that day. He also told me about his various surgeries and the pins in his knee. But he was fine and really going at it.

I'm 44 and this is good for me to remember when I'm visiting parks, especially when I go by myself, and I start feeling old looking at all the young families and teenagers.

Glad that something useful came out of my little post.