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"My orbit has shifted since Mom died, and has not gotten back into sync yet. I fear it is going to take a long time. I am not feeling normal. I am feeling not-of\u2013this\u2013world. However, I did have a joining-of-the-human-race day when Maggie, Jon, Zach, Natesy and I went to Universal Studios. I had been there before in my former life as a Californian, so I remembered a tram ride and the lunging Jaws surprise. This day was something more huge, both in ride style and my vision. Family upon family upon family. Everyone was out on a summer Saturday, trying to have the best of times. The bummer was that it was cold and a little sprinkly, but that forced me to buy a Universal ball cap. I did get what looks like a wedding photograph taken with Frankenstein, and, of course up Jaws&amp;#039;s mouth with the boys. We loved the bumpity tram where King Kong jumps at the window, jeeps catch on fire, get blown up, and we laze down Wisteria Lane. Nate and I hid from the House of Horrors, but all made it to the Simpsons Ride, which rocked and rolled us on a 3D animated roller coaster. This old gal sure felt it was real. I screamed along with others. So nice not to scream alone. This ride was crazily, digitally, amazingly, intense\u2013\u2013and may I add, scary. And at the end, they take a picture that can be purchased for fifteen bucks. With tax. I had no idea about this new wrinkle in amusement parks. You go look into a screen at the end of a ride and scan shots of families, car by car by car, until you get to the picture of your own. Order and pick it up later, suitable for framing. Mag thought I was crazy but I ordered it, of course. Nate and I picked it up while they were in the House of Horrors. The picture is amazing, a wild experience caught in the moment. That day in the universe at Universal Studios, my family was joyous and laughing together in the front seat, while Memaw was in the back with strangers and her ball cap on, simply enjoying the ride. D.G. Fulford is the author of Designated Daughter: The Bonus Years with Mom, written with her mother Phyllis Greene. She is also the co-founder of TheRememberingSite.org. You can find her at DGFulford.com. Photo credit: Marcia Smilack "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/life/a42700/universiality-10737/>