Canceled my May trip when my Dad passed away...

[drp4video]

Some of you may remember that my dad was ill and passed away memorial day and my daughter and I were scheduled to go to WDW the day after memorial day. Thanks to a lot of you on this board who gave me great advice and showed such wonderful compassion, I canceled my trip before he passed.

Well, two years ago, due to heat and Charley, I swore I would not go back in August. We had been going in August for the past 8 years prior, and I swore, never again. We leave August 15th..

 

[maddhatir]

hope you gave a great time!

 

[Jillpie]

I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. But I do hope you have a magical trip!

 

[Mimi Q]

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Have a great time! I learned to never say never. I swore I would never go back in the summer again, too....we leave next Friday!

 

[lucysdad]

Bring your Mickey ponchos and have the best time ever. Your dad will be watching over you and smiling about all the fun you are having.
Lucy's Mom

 

[disgram]

As lucysdad said, Your dad will be there, too. I lost my mother the day after Easter. She never got to go to WDW but she will this year as I am taking her picture with me. I know she would have loved the trip! Go and have a Wonderful time!!!!!!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Glad to hear you're going back. Did you get the free dining?

 

[bettyann29]

Hope you guys have a great time!! You deserve it..

 

[gigi1313]

my condolences on the loss of your dad... my dad is currently under hospice care, so i'm "with ya!"

is it selfish to pray that he doesn't pass too near our travel dates? any time before, because he's in pain, or after if they can get the pain managed, would be "okay" but not just right before to prevent us from going... my kids and dh sacrifice a LOT due to dad's health and my constantly having to be there to help mom, making them sit in a hospital room every night for 3 mos, cancelled some of their extracurricular stuff 'cause i could not take them, etc and i'd love for them to have this surprise trip in september... is that awful?

and i'm glad to read that you've rescheduled your trip drp4video... i'm sure your dad is smilin' on ya

 

[Jodi]

my condolences on the loss of your dad... my dad is currently under hospice care, so i'm "with ya!"

is it selfish to pray that he doesn't pass too near our travel dates? any time before, because he's in pain, or after if they can get the pain managed, would be "okay" but not just right before to prevent us from going... my kids and dh sacrifice a LOT due to dad's health and my constantly having to be there to help mom, making them sit in a hospital room every night for 3 mos, cancelled some of their extracurricular stuff 'cause i could not take them, etc and i'd love for them to have this surprise trip in september... is that awful?

and i'm glad to read that you've rescheduled your trip drp4video... i'm sure your dad is smilin' on ya

Gigi1313

No, it is definitely not selfish of you!!! You work hard for your vacations & deserve the time. Your family sounds wonderful for all the sacrifices they've made WITH you in your father's time of need...they will be better people for it. It's ok to get excited & look forward to a vacation with your DH & DKs. I'm sure that your dad would want you to go no matter what, just like you would want your kids & grandkids to do the same. My prayers go out to you & your family...perhaps if he does pass b4 you leave, your mom would like to join you & be w/ her grandkids?
Either way, enjoy your vacation because when you get older & your kids are grown, that is what they will reflect on while in situations like the one you're going through now.
Jodi

 

[gigi1313]

thanks jodi... you made me smile and cry all at the same time... and there's no smilie for that

 

[drp4video]

gigi13....
omg no, it is not selfish at all!!!!!!!! It is human nature to think that way. I felt that way so many times while my dad was ill. I was worried for my niece who had a wedding scheduled, for other vacations for youself and members of my family, for my mom who needed to get away and had things planned. I felt so bad for my daughter when my dad passed and we could not go away because this was a reward trip for her making the deans list at Michigan State University her freshman year, so, NO, it is not selfish and don't ever feel that way. My prayers for your dad and your family.

 

[mytwinklestar]

My heart goes out to you. I understand completely. In 1998 we were budget challenged and could not afford a Disney trip. My daughter was 3 and my son 10 months. We took a less expensive trip with the promise of a Disney "bacation" (as my DD pronounced it) the following year. She would see the commercials for Disney and exclaim, "I go there next year!" Sadly, our family was in a horrific car crash while on that first money saving family vacation to TN. Our precious little girl went to Heaven. It took us a few years to find the courage to go to Disney as a family of now 3. Soooo bittersweet. But we took Marissa with us. Yes, I cried when the waves of longing struck - but there were many tears of Joy, too. I purchased one of the Minnie Mouse balloons and walked to the center of the garden just in front of Cindy's castle. We each kissed the balloon before releasing it to Heaven. There were a few onlookers who wondered what the heck this family was doing - releasing a balloon on purpose and then taking pictures of it as it soared skyward. That didn't matter. It was our way of sending a little piece of the Disney magic to our precious angel. She would have SO loved being a Disney Princess! The fireworks were another thing we felt we "shared". I cried thinking that they must be just as beautiful from above. We have returned a number of times now and each time, we feel our daughter with us. We feel we celebrate that we were blessed to have our daughter for even the short time she was here on earth and know that, yes, she is smiling down on her little brother. Grieve not long that he/she died - Rejoice forever that he/she lived! I read this somewhere and it just really hits home. Your father will be rejoicing in Heaven that you are able to celebrate life! Enjoy your "bacation"! I will whisper a little prayer for you and your family.

 

[gigi1313]

my twinklestar... {{{hugs}}} to you and your family... my heart breaks for you and i think your strength and courage are simply awesome... i love the quote... Grieve not long that he/she died - Rejoice forever that he/she lived! thanks for sharing it and yourself...

 

[mytwinklestar]

Thank you, Gigi. That saying brings great peace to us and I was hoping it might offer that to others, too. We often release balloons for Marissa. It is something we can physically "do" for her. The photos of the balloons are part of our photo album - a special Disney memory. I hope this might help others, as well.

***Another favorite line that I use to pick up my spirits is "I hope you dance..." from the song. Our loved ones in Heaven hope that each time we do get the choice to sit it out or dance... Dance!!!

 

[luvpoohbear]

My heart goes out to you. I understand completely. In 1998 we were budget challenged and could not afford a Disney trip. My daughter was 3 and my son 10 months. We took a less expensive trip with the promise of a Disney "bacation" (as my DD pronounced it) the following year. She would see the commercials for Disney and exclaim, "I go there next year!" Sadly, our family was in a horrific car crash while on that first money saving family vacation to TN. Our precious little girl went to Heaven. It took us a few years to find the courage to go to Disney as a family of now 3. Soooo bittersweet. But we took Marissa with us. Yes, I cried when the waves of longing struck - but there were many tears of Joy, too. I purchased one of the Minnie Mouse balloons and walked to the center of the garden just in front of Cindy's castle. We each kissed the balloon before releasing it to Heaven. There were a few onlookers who wondered what the heck this family was doing - releasing a balloon on purpose and then taking pictures of it as it soared skyward. That didn't matter. It was our way of sending a little piece of the Disney magic to our precious angel. She would have SO loved being a Disney Princess! The fireworks were another thing we felt we "shared". I cried thinking that they must be just as beautiful from above. We have returned a number of times now and each time, we feel our daughter with us. We feel we celebrate that we were blessed to have our daughter for even the short time she was here on earth and know that, yes, she is smiling down on her little brother. Grieve not long that he/she died - Rejoice forever that he/she lived! I read this somewhere and it just really hits home. Your father will be rejoicing in Heaven that you are able to celebrate life! Enjoy your "bacation"! I will whisper a little prayer for you and your family.

My heart goes out to you as well. As I read your post, tears are streaming down my face, and I am thinking what a wonderful way to celebrate your little angel's life!! I cannot imagine, nor do I want to know what it is like to lose a child, but you seem to have adopted a wonderful perspective and I salute you and your courage. God Bless you and your family. I know your little angel looks down and smiles on all of you.

 

[bctripp]

I think of my dad every time we've been to Disney (about 4 times since he died). He took me and my mom there nearly every year from 1980 to 1996. I've cried quitely under my sunglasses nearly every time. I do wish he was here to see my DD's have so much fun at Disney (I better quit or i'll cry now). I'll be there soon, crying yet again under my sunglasses.

 

[Disney Spaz]

All I can say is wow, I am so impressed with the courage and love and strength you all have. My thoughts and prayers with you and your families. Mytwinklestar I would bet everything I have that each trip you have taken your angel is with you riding each ride watching each show and in spirit sharing in your "bacation."

 

[toocooltobeMom]

My heart aches for all of you.