Getting close...

[Dee77]

I shipped our package of goodies and essentials to OKW today and now I really feel like Disney is an arm's reach away... My countdown now reads 10 days and yet I thought it would never be so close..

This is a bittersweet trip that I hope will bring my family some much needed joy and smiles since my Dad passed away in March. He was supposed to be going with us and my Mom waivered with whether or not to still go but we convinced her that Dad would want us all to be there, enjoying what I could only describe to him as a magical place.

These boards and planning this trip are what has helped me get through some of my grieving and I thank you all for that.

Dee

 

[dmoore22]

Several years back we lost our granddaughter due to an unfortunate accident. We also agonized whether to go to WDW or not. We went, brought all our family and our granddaughter's mother. It was bittersweet but I think it helped. We had the sensation that our granddaughter was with us during our WDW adventure. It was somewhat therapeutic. So much so that we decided then and there to buy into DVC for our mental, emotional, and physical health.

 

[Dee77]

dmoore22- let me start off by extending my condolences on the loss of your grand-daughter. I can't even imagine what your family went through and likely continue to go through each day.

It is reassuring to read that disney trips with family are a positive way to manage though grief, and I too feel that Dad will be there with us in spirit.

 

[dmoore22]

Dee77,

I appreciate your kind thoughts. I can certainly empathize with your feelings at this time. For us this trauma of life made us re-evaluate our priorities. One of the changes we made in our life was to take some of our retirement savings to purchase a DVC resale. Instead of taking a vacation once every 5 or so years we are taking the time at least twice a year with the realization of how precious life is and we should savor each moment with each of our family members and friends.

 

[DenLo]

Condolences to both of you Dee77 and dmoore22.

I think honoring your loved ones by doing something they enjoyed is a wonderful way for the family to deal with their loss.

Dee77 I hope you and your family have a fantastic trip and that the bittersweet memories will heal the emptiness the passing of your father has caused.

 

[Dee77]

Thank you both- I agree that a major loss like ours (sudden and unpredicted) forces families to rally together and re-prioritize. For us now it is all about time together and what better place for us to have "invested" than Disney. We too only vacationed once every few years and now we have annual trips to look forward to.

We think of Dad everyday with much sadness and tears but in Disney with his 2 grand-daughters there with us, (my DD and DNiece) we will easily be reminded of his child-like personality and fun energy he showed us all the time. I am sure my Mom will be grateful to have glimpses of pure joy again while we are there.


Thanks again for your understanding!

 

[toniosmom]

Your posts made me cry. I'm so sorry to both of your for your tragic losses. I am blessed to still have both parents but they are in their mid-70s, so who knows for how much longer. One never knows.

I bought into DVC in 2008 and next March, I have invited both of them to join us. I am so excited for them to share our first trip to our home resort AKV in a 2BR Sav view. I adopted a little boy a few years ago who will be turning 5 shortly. I am so happy that I can give him these experiences -- it has quickly become our special place and I hope to create wonderful memories with him for years to come.

Dee77 - I hope you have a wonderful time and that the "happiest place on earth" will do just that -- give you all a nice dose of happiness.

 

[dmoore22]

toniosmom -- I pray they are tears of joy. There is a quote from one of Walt Disney's contemporaries that described him as having one foot in the past and one foot in the future. That statement has been, and is, so appropriate in our situations. It has become a celebration of those that have gone before while connecting and sharing the joys with our family and descendants. I apologize for my lack of eloquence but it has become a coping mechanism to deal with the traumas of life, a sanctuary from the sea of madness in the so-called "real" world. Dee77, I hope your experience is as, if not more positive, than ours.

 

[toniosmom]

They are bittersweet tears. I find that as I get older, I cry a lot more often. I used to make fun of my mother when I was younger (and still living at home) because she cried at movies, tv shows, etc. Well, God got back at me because I cry so much MORE than she ever did. I will cry at a Hallmark commercial. I can't watch a movie sponsored by Hallmark because I will cry during the movie AND the commercials. Last weekend, my DS4 and I watched the movie UP -- neither one of us had ever seen it. If you've seen it, you know that the first 10-15 minutes is very bittersweet and sad. I cried my eyes out. My son is so used to it that he now just hands me a tissue.

 

[dmoore22]

"Up" is a great film! Masterful storytelling. Our teenage daughter laughed while we shed tears. I'm more misty-eyed in my old age.

 

[DenLo]

Anybody that ever cries at movies would have been touched by UP. I think that opening portion was definitely something more adults could relate to that the kids.

P.S. I too needed a kleenex while watching UP.

 

[Dee77]

My Mom is at my house tonight, right now we are packing for the trip and getting my contribution to Thanksgiving dinner ready. She is definitely looking forward to the trip and has said so several times. It's great to see her giddy about seeing the girls by the castle and with the characters etc. I will either post while we are there or as soon as I get back with a trip report. Thanks again for all your comforting words and support.

In the meantime- this Thanksgiving I can say I am thankful for having a wonderful Dad who was so caring and fun, but mostly I am glad that my DD still remembers him (she was just under 2 1/2 when he passed away and I was worried she'd forget him, he was her most favorite person in the world!)

Thanks again everyone!