Going back to WDW... with a huge hole in our hearts

[FLYNZ4]

Jim

How was your trip? I was thinking of you and your family while you were at WDW.

I hope all went well.

Mandy

Mandy,

Thank you for the kind words. Our trip was about the same as we expected... and it was much better than what we had feared. Overall, it was a huge success. We did miss Gregory constantly... but most of it was OK.

Surprisingly... there were a number of small things that would remind us of Greg... and would coax a smile from us. The "Photographic Proof of MAJOR expansion at WDW" post that I made was one of those examples. When we passed that sign... I could almost hear my son's "kidding voice" exclaiming "they are building a 2nd one"! He was the first person who noticed that sign.

Another positive surprise is that there were several things that we felt would be very difficult... such as hearing the Lion King music. Surprisingly... hearing it in the parks had little effect on us... although I really broke down listening to the soundtrack on my iPod during the flight to MCO.

The last time my son was in WDW was during the summer of '03 during my sabbatical. He and I flew ourselves in my small plane from Portland OR to Kissimmee... truly a flight of a lifetime. I think of great times he and I had in the cockpit, and how much assistance he was on that flight. Each night we would plan several routes for the following day, so we could make real time choices based on weather. We spent a night in Las Vegas, and departed before sunrise on the following morning watching the sun rise over Hoover Dam... followed by two crossings of the Grand Canyon; those are some of my favorite memories of Greg.

Last week when I spotted the "Krispy Kreme" shop on 192... I reminisced about that clear morning on July 3, 2003 when we landed in Kissimee and were driving to the Wilderness Lodge to check-in. We had raced my wife and two daughters across the country... with us in a Cessna 206... and them on a United Airlines jet... and we won (with a 3 day head start ). We stopped at the Krispy Kreme shop to pick up a dozen doughnuts so that the gals would have a treat when they arrived at WL. However... we ended up eating the whole dozen before we left the shop. I chuckled remembering how we bought a 2nd dozen... and how we really did behave... saving them for the girls.

God... we miss him so much. He was truly a fantastic son. It is true when people say that there is nothing worse that can happen to a human than to lose a child. Still, we go forward one step at a time, converting the trauma that we live with each day... into loving memories of Gregory.

/Jim

 

[Rozzie]

thank you for the update of your trip. I was thinking of you and your family also on our last trip. Thank you for sharing such precious memories of you and your son. I can't imagine how hard it must be for you.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Awww Jim...I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. Thank goodness you had so many special times together in which to create those wonderful memories. I was thinking of you as well. Hang in there.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thank you for sharing all those wonderful memories you hold with your son with all of us Jim.

 

[mrsminniemouse]

So glad to hear that your trip was a success Jim.

Thank you for sharing some memories of your son, it sounds like you had a very closer father-son relationship. You certainly did some amazing things together!

The Krispy Kreme story made me smile. Here in England we are just starting to get Krispy Kremes. They are so delicious! We were very excited to see an outlet open in our local mall. Not sure I could eat more than two though......

I hope your wonderful memories continue to be a comfort to you.

with love,
Mandy

 

[dianeschlicht]

Mandy,

Thank you for the kind words. Our trip was about the same as we expected... and it was much better than what we had feared. Overall, it was a huge success. We did miss Gregory constantly... but most of it was OK.

Surprisingly... there were a number of small things that would remind us of Greg... and would coax a smile from us. The "Photographic Proof of MAJOR expansion at WDW" post that I made was one of those examples. When we passed that sign... I could almost hear my son's "kidding voice" exclaiming "they are building a 2nd one"! He was the first person who noticed that sign.

Another positive surprise is that there were several things that we felt would be very difficult... such as hearing the Lion King music. Surprisingly... hearing it in the parks had little effect on us... although I really broke down listening to the soundtrack on my iPod during the flight to MCO.

The last time my son was in WDW was during the summer of '03 during my sabbatical. He and I flew ourselves in my small plane from Portland OR to Kissimmee... truly a flight of a lifetime. I think of great times he and I had in the cockpit, and how much assistance he was on that flight. Each night we would plan several routes for the following day, so we could make real time choices based on weather. We spent a night in Las Vegas, and departed before sunrise on the following morning watching the sun rise over Hoover Dam... followed by two crossings of the Grand Canyon; those are some of my favorite memories of Greg.

Last week when I spotted the "Krispy Kreme" shop on 192... I reminisced about that clear morning on July 3, 2003 when we landed in Kissimee and were driving to the Wilderness Lodge to check-in. We had raced my wife and two daughters across the country... with us in a Cessna 206... and them on a United Airlines jet... and we won (with a 3 day head start ). We stopped at the Krispy Kreme shop to pick up a dozen doughnuts so that the gals would have a treat when they arrived at WL. However... we ended up eating the whole dozen before we left the shop. I chuckled remembering how we bought a 2nd dozen... and how we really did behave... saving them for the girls.

God... we miss him so much. He was truly a fantastic son. It is true when people say that there is nothing worse that can happen to a human than to lose a child. Still, we go forward one step at a time, converting the trauma that we live with each day... into loving memories of Gregory.

/Jim

What a wonderful update. So glad you posted it, and so glad it went better than you expected. This trip was almost like a memorial tribute to a loving son. Now that the "first trip" is out of the way, the "sweet" should become more prevelant than the "bitter". Thanks for including all of us in this, and Bless you!

 

[wilderness01]

I am so sorry for your loss. Your website is a nice tribute to a wonderful family life. God Bless your family.

 

[rsschneck]

Hi Neighbor

I am glad you had a better trip than expected. It is nice to be able to remember Gregory with such fond memories. Sounds like you had such an awesome relationship.

I gave my DD an extra hug tonight!

PS I did see your photo on your other thread! Caught me!

 

[Maria395712]

god bless you and your family. I have a DD21 and DS 20. I lost a son 5 years old 23 years ago he will always be with you and your family
maria