Disney is magical....but......

[HauntedMansionFreak]

Just wanted to share....




I was 15 years old before my parents could afford to take me to WDW. Back then AK didn't exist and so we went to the other three parks. One of my greatest memories is of taking that vacation....it was my first vacation ever.

I never could understand why my mother kept a stupid video camera up to her face the whole time. She missed so much by doing that. After our trip I remember asking her about specific things and she either didn't remember them or didn't get to see them because of that stupid camera. For years I asked myself why she would ruin her vacation like that.

Two weeks ago I took my DS10 to WDW for his first time. Guess what? I became my mother. Yep - I was the mom who spared so much of her own vacation just to be able to catch my son's smiles on video. Since we have been back we have watched them and laughed and smiled again and again.

Yep - now I understand why my mother 'ruined' so much of her vacatioin......it was same reasons I did. I also understand that no part of her vacation was 'ruined' - she did it because she WANTED to. Disney is magical.....but being able to re-live special moments is priceless.

It's been 15 years since my mother lugged that camera around catching all my memories. Fifteen years from now I'll be glad I done the same thing because my little boy won't be little any longer.

I'm so glad I became my mother........

 

[bobbiwoz]

I really enjoyed reading your post!

Bobbi

 

[DonnaLeah]

Great post. I have tears in my eyes.
I have a DS5 and look forward to our trips to WDW with him!!

 

[d96j97]

I was never fortunate enough to go to WDW when I was little. My first trip was with my DH on our honeymoon. We didn't have a video camera then and is probably our only regret of the entire trip.

We now have countless tapes of our two little boys (now 6and8yrs). I get emotional every time I watch old tapes. My DH and I both despise carrying the camcorder around but both agree it is worth the priceless videos you capture.

What a great post!

 

[Lynn CC]

There is nothing in the world like being a mother
I've spent many moments behind my video camera too!

 

[Patricia]

Seeing the world through your mother's eyes is a gift of becoming a mother. In the weeks after my first daughter's birth, I went to see my mom and burst into tears. She was worried that I was post partum, but when I could stop crying, I told her that I now realized how much she loved me. How each time I said something nasty or did something inconsiderate I had hurt her. Having my own child and feeling that amazing amount of love gave me the gift of understanding the extreme love my mom felt for me.

Seeing the smiles of your son through the camera gave you that same gift. Isn't it wonderful?

Tomorrow, that same daughter I spoke of leaves for college. BEing her mom has been an amazing journey. Enjoy your time with your son!

 

[Kallison]

And 15 years ago it was probably one of those humongous GIANT cameras. I remember the one my Dad had.

I'm a big photo taker, for that reason. I used to video everything and I coulnd't remember my kids concerts or recitals. I do see people in the Parks videoing the entire parade or all the rides. I do think you have to have a happy medium. I usually video 10-20 min. per vacation, that is it. The rest will remain in my memory where it belongs or documented in photos.

 

[perdidobay]

Don'tcha know.... when you take a child to WDW it is never really is "your" vacation to begin with.

 

[HauntedMansionFreak]

<i>And 15 years ago it was probably one of those humongous GIANT cameras. I remember the one my Dad had.</i>



lol...YES it was.......one of those you HAD to rest upon your shoulder because it was so big. Hand-held was not even a thought at that time.



Patricia - Congrats on your daughter going to college. Now you're gonna have to spend more time on the DIS boards to keep your mind occupied......don't want to get the empty-nest syndrome! I can't imagine either of my boys going off to college. Of course I want that for them - but gosh - I want them here too...lol.