1st Trip Since My Mom Passed

[PrncssSonya]

It was May 2003 that my mom passed away of a heart attack at the Grand Floridian. Some of you may remember my brother's post (he wrote a long letter about our journeys and her death) a while back. But i'm rather new to the board and I'm so excited that i had to share with everyone. I've been visiting Disneyworld since I was a baby and absolutely adore it... as did my mother. I haven't gone back since and neither has my older sister and my 16 yr old nephew. But we just made our reservations for March 11-13... not a long visit but it's all we can afford right now. It'll be my nephew's birthday and it's a surprise for him.

We can only visit Magic Kingdom and i'm kinda bummed about the wall around the castle... but i'm still so excited. Can't wait to see everything again... and I absolutely love this board. Nice to know there are people out there as crazy about everything Disney as I am.

Thanks

Sonya

 

[Debs5angels]

Welcome to the boards. I'm sure you will enjoy being at Disney even with the wall. I hope you have a great time when you go. If you have any questions I'm sure you can get the answers here. Everyone on the boards are so helpful. And like yourself I to am crazy for anything Disney. Welcome again and hope to talk to you soon!!

 

[lllovell]

*hugs* for you Sonya. My mother passed away this past year from Breast Cancer about 2 months after a trip to Disney World with my oldest son, both my sisters and niece. She was so happy during that trip to get to spend time with her girls and my son. We made sure she saw Wishes and rode Dumbo and so many other wonderful things. It was very special.

I have been back many times since then and each and every time I go, I think of that trip and my mother and I cry when I ride Dumbo and when we see Wishes. But, you know what, they are tears mixed with joy that I have those special memories with her and of her.

I hope you find that place where the joy flows over you as easily as the tears. It is healing for me and my son always tells me she is there, with us when we visit.

 

[liznboys]

Welcome to the DIS Sonya! I am sorry about your mom. I hope you have a wonderful, magical trip.

 

[ScottNBecky]

Sonya my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope you always treasure WDW and keep those special memories with you forever. Disney is such a magical place for so many people, that every time you think of WDW or anything Disney let that be a reminder of how special your mom was. I hope you have the best time at WDW and stay positive!

 

[BonnieA]

My father was my best disney buddy. He and I went on many trips together. And when he was unable to go I would call him every day from a park and tell him what I did or was going to do.
After he died it was hard going back by myself. I even stopped before entering Epcot the first time and just cried. But then I pulled myself together and told myself that he was always with me. He would always be part of the Disney experience for me through all the memories we shared and all the fun we had. I try to leave space for him with me on all the rides he loved. And I leave a space for my mother on Pirates of the Caribbean (her favorite).
Sonya, your mother will be there with you, just make room for her

 

[SnackyStacky]

Here's to a WONDERFUL trip!

 

[PrncssSonya]

Thank you to everyone for all of the kind words and welcomes... you all have made me cry. To BonnieA - thank you thank you... I never thought of "leaving room for my mom" but i will now. That means so much to me.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart

 

[Luigi's Girl]

I am in tears as I'm writing this after reading these posts. In Nov.2002 my then 11 year old daughter had the wonderful opportunity to dance on Tomorrowland Stage in MK, and my Dad who lived in Florida had never seen her dance before. We had him driven to WDW to spend a few days with us to see her perform and he was like a little kid. He was so proud and being a former military man, he couldn't keep from crying and saluting the girls on stage as they danced to "Proud To Be An American" and other patriotic songs. We had such a fantastic time and made so many wonderful memories and none of us ever imagined how a month later he would pass away unexpectedly.
Our first trip back this past November was somewhat bittersweet as I thought of the things he did there with us and how I sometimes felt his presence. I and my children are so thankful that we had that opportunity to make those memories with him and we shall always think of him when we're there and remember the great time we had.
Sonya, I wish you the best and enjoy your trip and just know your Mom will be there with you.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

It's been a year yesterday since my mom past away from lung cancer and I only wish she could have visited Disney before she passed away.... It goes to show, you have to live life to the fullest. Enjoy Disney as much as you can the majic will help heal your sadness, I know it did for me.

 

[goofy4tink]

My mom's big dream was to be there when my dd, her last grandchild (and yes, probably her favorite) saw Cinderella Castle for the first time. The three of us went in '99. We had a wonderful ladies only trip, full of memory making moments. My dh, dd and I made several other trips without Mom. Then, in '03 we went again and this time bought DVC. We never told my mother. We were waiting to surprise her with the news that she would be going to WDW with us the following summer, all expenses paid, by me (for a change!!). Well, the day we got our approval letter from DVC, we were burying my mom!!!

That was in Oct. '03. In Dec my dh told me to take dd, then 10, to WDW to 'just get away' from it all before Christmas. I have to say that it was a very bittersweet trip. Much crying and feeling sorry for ouselves. We kept seeing my mother everyplace. We could even remember some of the things she had said back in '99!!! But, I'm so glad we did that trip when we did. It served a purpose. We realized that we would always have those 'Meme' memories at WDW and that she was so happy to be with us.

So, yes...make room for your mom. She'll be right there with you. Have a wonderful trip. I hope you can remember the fun times with your mom, while paying her the tribute of having a great time and making more wonderful memories. I know that is what my mom would want us to do.

 

[kupperman]

I know how everyone feels. I lost my mother to cancer in August 2003. She took me to DisneyWorld 3 times when I was a child. I just wish that she could enjoy it now with her granddaughter. We just came back from my daughter's first trip to WDW and we took my mother in law. I was glad to share the experience with her but of course I wished my mom could have been there too.

 

[ufgator]

I'm sorry about your mom. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Geebs]

Reading all of the posts is making me cry. Last February after only two days at BCV, my sister at home called My parents and I to say that my Dad's mother(my grandmother) had passed away back home. Obviously we had to rush back home. Two days after my grandmother's funeral, my grandfather (from my mother's side) almost dies. At first everyone thought it was a stroke. Come to find out it was a massive brain tumor. To make a long story short, after several months and 2 brain operations later, my parents decide to take a very much needed break (as they were the primary caretakers of both parents) to WDW in November. They wanted to prepare for the up coming months since the knew the my grandfather only had about 2 more to live. After two (yes..how ironic 2) days my sister and I had to call my parents to say that my grandfather died. Obviously again they had to rush back home.
So, needless to say my parents need a major break. They are heading down in February and I hope that they can start to put the horrible past year behind them and look forward to remembering the happy times with each of their parents. Thanks for sharing your stories everyone....it is very comforting.

 

[GrimReapuh]

*sighs* Man, thats hard to take on the inside, knowing that my mom has a disease that could possibly kill her.

Well still, have fun at Disney world. And your mother- she is at the great Disney in the sky.

 

[gingermommy94]

So sorry about your mom...

Sending you hugs, prayers, and wishes for a wonderful trip!