My grandfather died and I can't be happy about my trip.

[amycishere]

I feel so selfish and a horrible person with Disney. We booked it so we would have something to look forward to when his health was failing. Mom said I was getting sad so we did it. Now I just keep listening to this song from Juno over and over. My grandfather was my whole world.

[~April J~]

HUGS. I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

You know, every year when it comes up to the time my daddy passing I am always headed to vacation. Mainly because it is a distraction and it helps me and my family get threw that difficult time of year.

[Not so Dumbo]

:grouphug: I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather.
Not being happy about Disney is just part of grieve, it's nothing to feel bad about. Maybe once you are on your trip you will have a few happy moments when you can be just in that moment. Don't feel guilty about having fun, I'm sure your grandfather wouldn't want that for you.

[my 3 princesses]

I'm so sorry for your loss. :sad1:

[TwingleMum]

:grouphug: Honey its sounds like you were very lucky and had a wonderful relationship with your Grandfather. Not many people have that. He would not want you to miss out on life being sad for him. If anything I bet he was the kind of guy who enjoyed watching you light up with joy. So I think the best way to honor him is to enjoy WDW to the fullest because you know your Grandfather isn't really gone he is the voce that whispers I love you right before you fall asleep. He is loving you and proud of you always. Love like his is like the wind you can't see it but you always feel it. Bless you :hug:

[JulielovesDisney]

I'm very sorry for your loss. But I think your grandfather wouldn't want you grieving over him and skip your vacation. I think he'd want you to go have fun and enjoy all the time you have with your loved ones.

Maybe you could do something special while you are down there for your grandfather. My family and I always toss pennies into the fountain infront of Epcot in honor of my grandfather, who we were very close with too. Maybe something like that will help. It seems silly, but it's like he's there with us.

Prayers are being sent to you and your family. :grouphug:

[litlpixie]

Believe it or not...but 2 years ago while I was at AK, I got a phone call from NY saying that my papa died suddenly. I remember dropping to the ground right outside the entrance to Maharaja Jungle Trek when I heard the news... I was devastated, as he was my very favorite person. My DH and I had to leave for home 2 days before our vacation would have ended. Disney was real good to us though because we got our money back for the room since we left early. But , I understand your feelings. WDW is my favorite place, but Papa came first. LOL, when I got back home, everyone who "knows" me said "Sheeesh, he must have been really special for Penny to leave one her Disney trips early!" ;)

[becalubob]

I agree with the other posters.... your grandfather wouldn't want you to stop doing things you enjoy. I know what you are going through... my grandfather passed away in Oct. and my son and I had a trip planned for Nov. We still went. We still had fun. And I knew he was with me. :hug:

[Tink06170]

I am sorry for your loss. I think that it would be a very meaningful thing to do something at Disney in his memory (someone mentioned about throwing pennies in the fountain)

My grandmother passed away and she loved Disney. So whenever I am in the park i think about her and try to do something she would have done (mostly people watching in down town disney) but i always take a few minutes to do something in her honor.

Try and have as much fun as you can on your trip, and remember just because he is gone in a physical sense your memories will always be with you.

[Dinka]

So very sorry for your loss. I know exactly how you feel, my Gramps passed away almost 2 years ago and it still feels raw. He was everything to me. But I remember he and my Gramma taking us to WDW when we were kids and those memories are precious to me now. I am going in 3 weeks and will fondly remember him and our times there while there. I know your Grandpa will be smiling down on you from up above while you enjoy your trip!:hug: I think you should go, it will help to take your mind off of things right now!

[AftertheSunset]

I'm so sorry about your grandfather...please accept my deepest condolences. :hug:

Claire

[Dan Murphy]

Very sorry, Amy, to read of the loss of your grandfather. :hug: My condolences.

Dan

[marvin12]

Sorry for your loss:hug:

[LauraAnn630]

Your Grandpa would want you to have a good time! Hell be looking down from Heaven delighted to see you happy in Disney and everyday life.

You know he wouldnt want you to be crying and all sad. Your trip is 2 months away and it will be just what you need just in time.

I know you have to grieve but in your heart you know what your Grandfather would want for you and the rest of the family.

Be strong and remember the good times.

[Tink-n-Belle]

Sorry for your loss:grouphug:

My father died unexpectedly at age 60, 11 years ago. He was my best friend, my boss and my Disney Buddy. To be honest the 1st time back to Disney was very hard without him. But I now know he is there is spirit with me each and every time I go (how else would he get HIS Disney fix)

I spent his 10 year anniversary at the MVMCP watching the most amazing fireworks with His spirit right by my side. I booked the trip to Disney because I didn't want to be home on his 10th anniversary being sad.

I found a video of Disney and my father had taped the empty lot where the BWV are now. He mentioned that the BW was going to be built very shortly in the video. Now he died in 1996 and the BW was built in 1996. When we became DVc members we bought into the BoardWalk Villas and I found the tape after. It was if he guided me there.

Just know your grandfather is always with you in spirit!! And that he wants you to enjoy your life and if that means trips to Disney then please give him want he wants. Good luck!!

[MissDisney121]

I am so sorry for your loss. I know how you feel, I was so sad when my grandpa died and I still miss him. But I think your grandfather would want you to be happy and have a good time.

[Linda Farrell]

Amy, my grandfather and I were very close too. He died in 2002, and I had to take off of work for a week. They didn't understand why, he was "only my grandfather". I had applied for a job at the Disney Store near my home before he died, and the process with them takes a while. About 2 weeks after his death, I got the call that I got the job, and I realized that it was the first time I had smiled since he died. I also realized at that point that Papa wouldn't want me to sit around all sad all the time. So that was a turning point for me. I still miss him and think of him every day, but time does heal, and I remember all the good memories now. I think you should go on your trip. He would want you to be happy.

[stemikger]

:grouphug: Unfortunately, death is a part of life, I wish it wasn't but that is the toughest reality we all have to go through while we are alive.

Greiving is also, part of the process and everyone does so their own way. If your relationship with your grandfather was as good as you say, then he would not want you to be sad. He would want you to go to Disney and have a blast.

22 years ago right after my father's funeral, my mom, sister and myself, flew out to the Bahamas and had a blast. My father loved life and lived it to the fullest and we did it in his memory. It is what he would have wanted.

Godspeed, I know it dosen't feel like it now, but you will get through it. You will never forget him, but time makes it easier.

[baileygirlsmom]

So sorry for your loss. I lost my Mom in Dec. 06 and my best friend March 07. I booked the trip for April in between and my friend took a bad turn with her cancer, I started to cancel and she begged me not to, told me we needed the time away, she also told me she would be gone by then and she was right. I felt guilty, but also felt my DH and DD needed the time away as much as I did. We were so glad we went, getting away from the situation was such a wonderful breath of fresh air, if just for a little while. Again, so sorry for your loss.

[NikkiKahne]

I know what you are going through. I had planned my 21st Birthday trip since about March of last year. In April, my Grandfather was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer. He underwent surgery to take out his ailing Kidney, and his Ureter. Then, he underwent Chemo. He seemed to be responding to treatments, but only for a little bit. He was in and out of the Hospital a lot. Then the Dr. told us that his first round of Chemo wasn't working. They could try another bout of Chemo, if my Grandfather wanted. My Grandfather did, he still believed that he would pull out of it. No such luck.

After Christmas, everything went down hill. He got progressively worse, and worse. January was the hardest. In a matter of 3 days, his Health declined so rapidly. It was unbelievable. My Mom's a Registered Nurse, and she herself took care of him for his final days. She said that in all her years of Nursing, she had never seen anyone decline that rapidly healthwise. My 21st Birthday was on January 26th, and I was scheduled to leave for WDW on the 22nd. My Father is in the Military, and he was scheduled to go to Iraq. On Jauary 8th, the General pulled him back. The General said he needed to be home with my Grandfather (It was my Dad's Dad.) When my Dad told my Grandfather that he wasn't leaving, my Grandfather broke down crying, clasped his hands, and prayed to God saying 'Thank you for not letting my Son go over there.' When my Dad told my Grandfather that he had to leave - My Grandfather said, I might Die, but I refuse to Die until you get back home safely.

I think he broke down crying when my Dad told him that he wasn't leaving because he knew it was the end for him. One of my Grandfather's Friends in Church went up to him and said 'We need to get together one of these days,' and my Grandma told me that my Grandfather said 'I wish we could, but I know I won't ever be seeing you again after today.' He was right. My Grandfather passed away on January 13th. My family had to get a Visa for my Grandma's Sister to come here for the Funeral, because my Grandfather said that was what he wanted.

Well ... We left for our Disney trip, and my Dad came with my Mom and I. He wasn't supposed to go because he was supposed to be over in Iraq. My Dad said he didn't particularly want to go, but halfway through the trip, he told me 'I'm glad I came.'

Now, a girl from my Dad's unit had to come home on Emergency Leave because her mother wasn't responding well to Chemo Treatments. She wouldn't be back to Iraq. Guess who her replacement is?

You guessed it - My Dad. He got an E-Mail last Wednesday to pack his things, and that he would be on the first flight out to Iraq as soon as his orders were completed, and processed. He's leaving on Wednesday at 3PM.

~ My prayers go out to you and yours. I know what it's like in this situation, trust me, but that doesn't make it any less hard. My thoughts, prayers, and sincere condolences go out to your family in your time of need. ~

:grouphug:

[paintnolish]

Go. Have a good time. He wouldn't want you to be sad. We splurged and went to the Poly when I was little, shortly after my Gma died. I was in K, so I didn't really know what was going on, but it was a nice time with my family. It was good for my mom to get away, too.

[kwlsh]

I'm so sorry for your loss. :angel:

[liltoot]

I'm very sorry for your loss. My husband and I planned a Disney vacation for December 2006. Two weeks before we were to leave my grandma died at almost 94 years of age. We still went and it was a good trip. It helped to be in a place that makes me happy. I know my grandma would have been upset at the thought of our canceling. What could we do? Sit home and be sad? We were sad no matter where we were. I know she would have said life is short, enjoy everything you can. Go on your trip and be thankful for all the wonderful memories that you have of your grandpa. You're in my thoughts and prayers. :lovestruc

[amycishere]

I know what you are going through. I had planned my 21st Birthday trip since about March of last year. In April, my Grandfather was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer. He underwent surgery to take out his ailing Kidney, and his Ureter. Then, he underwent Chemo. He seemed to be responding to treatments, but only for a little bit. He was in and out of the Hospital a lot. Then the Dr. told us that his first round of Chemo wasn't working. They could try another bout of Chemo, if my Grandfather wanted. My Grandfather did, he still believed that he would pull out of it. No such luck.

After Christmas, everything went down hill. He got progressively worse, and worse. January was the hardest. In a matter of 3 days, his Health declined so rapidly. It was unbelievable. My Mom's a Registered Nurse, and she herself took care of him for his final days. She said that in all her years of Nursing, she had never seen anyone decline that rapidly healthwise. My 21st Birthday was on January 26th, and I was scheduled to leave for WDW on the 22nd. My Father is in the Military, and he was scheduled to go to Iraq. On Jauary 8th, the General pulled him back. The General said he needed to be home with my Grandfather (It was my Dad's Dad.) When my Dad told my Grandfather that he wasn't leaving, my Grandfather broke down crying, clasped his hands, and prayed to God saying 'Thank you for not letting my Son go over there.' When my Dad told my Grandfather that he had to leave - My Grandfather said, I might Die, but I refuse to Die until you get back home safely.

I think he broke down crying when my Dad told him that he wasn't leaving because he knew it was the end for him. One of my Grandfather's Friends in Church went up to him and said 'We need to get together one of these days,' and my Grandma told me that my Grandfather said 'I wish we could, but I know I won't ever be seeing you again after today.' He was right. My Grandfather passed away on January 13th. My family had to get a Visa for my Grandma's Sister to come here for the Funeral, because my Grandfather said that was what he wanted.

Well ... We left for our Disney trip, and my Dad came with my Mom and I. He wasn't supposed to go because he was supposed to be over in Iraq. My Dad said he didn't particularly want to go, but halfway through the trip, he told me 'I'm glad I came.'

Now, a girl from my Dad's unit had to come home on Emergency Leave because her mother wasn't responding well to Chemo Treatments. She wouldn't be back to Iraq. Guess who her replacement is?

You guessed it - My Dad. He got an E-Mail last Wednesday to pack his things, and that he would be on the first flight out to Iraq as soon as his orders were completed, and processed. He's leaving on Wednesday at 3PM.

~ My prayers go out to you and yours. I know what it's like in this situation, trust me, but that doesn't make it any less hard. My thoughts, prayers, and sincere condolences go out to your family in your time of need. ~

:grouphug:

Bless you!!

Thank you ALL for sharing your stories and words. It means more than you will ever know!

[Shmily1]

My Grandmother lived about an hour from WDW so we went there often when I was little (waaaaay before Epcot or the other parks!). She was my mom's mom. My mom died unexpectedly about 5 years ago and my grandma about 6 months later. Everytime I go to WDW, I think of them and how much fun I had visiting Grandma and WDW with my mom. I go there often and I always think "See where I am? I'm right where you started me coming to!!!" I tell my family that it's their fault I'm a Disnye-addict!!!:worship: The best part is, my mom and grandmother would ROFL to see me skipping down Main Street at 40 just like I did when I was little!!!!

So you skip down Main Street too and say "See, I came here to have fun-- because you would want me to!!!" Hugs to you!!!:hug:

[amycishere]

:grouphug: Honey its sounds like you were very lucky and had a wonderful relationship with your Grandfather. Not many people have that. He would not want you to miss out on life being sad for him. If anything I bet he was the kind of guy who enjoyed watching you light up with joy. So I think the best way to honor him is to enjoy WDW to the fullest because you know your Grandfather isn't really gone he is the voce that whispers I love you right before you fall asleep. He is loving you and proud of you always. Love like his is like the wind you can't see it but you always feel it. Bless you :hug:

You remind me so much of him. God bless YOU. THANK YOU!

[DisneyWorldOct08]

I am really sorry for your loss. :( :grouphug:

I agree with the others, he would want you to go and have fun in his memory.

[mom2taylorandemily]

I am so sorry you are having to deal with this. I too had a very difficult vacation this past year. My dad was diagnosed with cancer that was inoperable and basically untreatable. But at his insistance we went on and continued planning our trip hoping against all odds that we'd be able to make it. My dad passed on Nov. 26 and we had his Celebration of Life service on Dec. 2, we left for Disney on the 7th. I left with such a heavy heart and I really had a difficult time trying to enjoy myself. I kept thinking about my mom and how I had left her alone. But I called her everyday and my DDs talked to her, we saw the day we got home, but I did have a very heavy heart!!! I am sooooo sorry, I hope it will all work for you.

[christa112]

I am very sorry to hear that. I lost my grandfather a little over 2 yrs ago and just reading your post brings tears to eyes. I have only been to his grave twice, because I just can't bring myself to go. You just have to remember all the great things about him to get you through.