Thanks for the Memories DVC

[Niagara2]

This week we buried my dear Father in Law. He has been slowing down the last 18 months and was really sick the last two weeks. My father died when I was 6 and this great man helped to fill that void. He helped watch the kids the first three years of their lives while we worked. He attended all the swim classes, baseball games, special events etc. until just last month for our 6 and 7 year old. Up until two years ago I had a hard time keeping up with Dad.
In 1996 we bought DVC. The hugh rooms and living arangements allowed us to bring family with us. Dad came at least once a year with us. I remember when Dad and Mom couldn't quite find their way on the busses from OKW to Poly for Sunday services...first sign, then Dad tripped one day on the way to pool. I also remember the smile when Dad went through Carasosel of Progress..such memories of growing up. I remember riding BTMR with Mom at age 78 in January. I remember sitting on the porch at OKW while the little ones were asleep and Dad told stories of growing up while we watched the fireworks from Epcot. Last January was the last trip that we all had together at DVC. We rented a GV with 12 of us having a great time together. We have DVC for 40 plus more years....alot more time to enjoy each other and make more memories.
If it wasn't for DVC I am sure that we would never of had these wonderful trips together. We had great times together with Dad, and nothing made him happier than seeing all of us happy and together at Disney. Thanks for these opportunities DVC!;)

[Mickbee]

Please accept our deepest condolences. In sad times try to reflect back to the special times with him and always carry him in your heart for future visits.

Respectfully,
Andrea & Steve

[CarolMN]

Our deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your father-in-law. He sounds like a wonderful man. Glad you have the wonderful memories to help you through.

[SueOKW]

Thanks for sharing. He sounds like a wonderful man, and also a well appreciated and loved family member. I'm so glad you were able to have good times together. You are so right- thank you DVC! (Of course, you forgot to thank yourself, I bet, for being so caring.... but you obviously are.)

Sue

[PamOKW]

My sympathy in your loss. But, my agreement that many happy family memories really are made at DVC.

[rbuzzotta]

My deepest condolences on the loss of your father-in-law. I want to take my parents to OKW with us and by just listening to your story is putting that on a priority list for me!!!

Glad to hear you have wonderful memories

[Mic]

You have my deepest sympathy, and understanding. We saw "grandpa" every day(we bought the house next door to my husband's parents) , and I did not realize how precious those days were until he was gone. Our 4 children were quite young, but they still talk of him almost daily, and it has been 3 years.

[wdwnut]

my sympathy to you and your family. he will continue to live in all the fond memories you share.

[BWVDenise]

Wow, I could cry.:( I'm sorry he's gone. He sounds like he was the best grandfather.

[WebmasterDoc]

What a wonderful tribute to your father-in-law. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and memories.

How nice that you can relive those memories with every DVC visit.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Niagra,
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers to you all.

[Granny]

My sympathies also for your loss.

Your message is a deep one and should help us all keep the proper perspective on DVC....ultimately it is a means to having wonderful vacations. Vacations that build memories and cherished moments.

Thank you for sharing with us. You are in our prayers.

[Gail Reale]

Niagara - My sincere condolences on the loss of your wonderful father-in-law. Your "memory" message becomes quite personal to me as my mom was just diagnosed with incurable liver cancer. I, too, am happy for the memories I will always have. We also had a GV in Sept. 2000 to celebrate the millenium with the family and it was just great. We are lucky to have had the foresight to buy into DVC - we will always have our memories. Thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.

Gail

[Doctor P]

My deepest sympathy on the loss of your father-in-law. Thank you for reminding us to treasure each day and to savor all the little things that make our lives so special. I hope DVC provides us with the same kind of great memories.

[Daydreamin]

My prayers and thoughts are with you, your husband and your family. Your memories will be treasures that you will hold dear for the rest of your life. How wonderful that you had the opportunity to share DVC with your FIL! There's nothing better than watching the joy that grandparents and grandchildren have together enjoying each other.

I understand what you are going through as I lost my father this past January and almost lost my father-in-law this past summer. While I have many Disney memories with my father, my kids weren't able to share that joy with Grandpa as our DVC family get together wasn't scheduled to happen until this summer. Something we ended up cancelling do because of my FIL illness. A family time that I know that I will regret for years to come (thankfully they have loads of other memories of Grandpa though). We're already planning a trip to occur next spring when my FIL is strong enough.

As we experience things like this in our life and country, may we all remember where our priorities should be and hold those dear to us close to our hearts.

[TheWho]

The image of you and your "Dad" sitting on the porch at OKW gave me a warm feeling. He must have had so many special moments in his life, including that one. God bless.

[jennybobenny]

What a beautiful tribute to your father-in-law. A few months ago, as I was looking thru a few of our BWV vacation pictures, it occurred to me too that these are precious memories we're making. We never would have been able to afford to bring my parents, and now dh's mom along with us to Disney if not for DVC. Thanks so much for the post - I think it made us all pause a moment and count our blessings.

[Fenceman]

Your story really touched me and the importance of family vacations. Your family will be in our prayers now that God has welcomed him home.

Bill

[penguincruiser]

My sympathies for your loss. I can understand what you are going through as my father has been in hospital the last two weeks and it was very critical at one point.

It's good to hear that you have great memories, I can still remember my first trip to WDW in '74 with my mother, she always meant to return and bring my father but it never happened.
Hopefully I will be able to take my parents in law to DLP one day.

These things teach us to live life to the fullest. I think your father in law did.

JJ Penguin

[Peggy Sue]

Our deepest sympathies on the loss of your dear FIL. Your love for him, and his for your family, shines through in your beautiful tribute. Life is precious, so glad you all had the opportunity to build such happy memories together. Take care.

[Niagara2]

Wow guys!! Thank you for all the kind replies and prayers. I have just shown this post to DH and he had tears in his eyes. Yes - he was a very great man. I am touched - thank you.

[holycow]

memories you have......thank you for sharing....with me...
Holycow

[raidermatt]

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

And thank you for reminding us about what's really important.

[antnee]

Sorry for your loss and hope you can continue to remember your FIL on future DVC trips

[disynut]

Niagara,
I got chills sitting here reading your post, and I began thinking of all of our special memories at Disney with our family.

My deepest condolences to you-

God Bless You and your family,

JenniferºOº

[dianeschlicht]

Please accept my sympathy, but what a wonderful story and what wonderful memories. We too think our DVC gives us these kinds of pleasures. Thanks for putting it into words.

[Merilyn]

We lost our Mother last year and we, also, have many happy WDW memories. We took vacations there every year. Last year in March,we made our last trip to HH with her. She passed away that June. We always take a large family trip and WDW was and is our favorite place to go. I am so sorry for your loss and I know you wouldn't give up the great times you spent with him at WDW. Family times are so priceless when you lose a loved one. My kids will remember the fun we had with "Granny" and all the fun things she did with them. We will keep your family in our prayers and hope that you have many more memories to share with your family at WDW.

[KNWVIKING]

I read most of the posts on this board,then get irratated when all the bickering starts over some pretty trivial problems or percieved problems. I get tired of hearing " I love DVC but !!!!". Niagra, I think the memories you have of your FIL and DVC are far more important then the issues we discuss here. While I know your going to miss him dearly I think your going to love going back to Disney and being flooded with great memories with your FIL. The Carosel of Progress will mean more to you then it ever will to me.

Our prayers are with you,
Ken & Mil

[DisneyMim]

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We just lost my husband's mother so I understand what you are feeling. He sounds like a wonderful man. You were very lucky to have had him in your lives. Memories are a wonderful thing, and it sounds like you all have many good ones to remember. Take care and don't try to rush into anything. Grieving takes time. God Bless all of You.

[Luv2Dream]

That was the nicest post I've read in a long time. Although you've suffered the loss of an irreplacable member of your family, you've been so very lucky to have all those special times together. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

[bres@westernMA]

Very nice of you to share these memories. We all need to focus on what's important and cherish our families. Thank you.