Today I was going through a bunch of stuff at the shop that I had put into a pile and then forgot so today I started going through it all and all of a sudden, my heart just seemed to go on overflow as to all the memories it brought back from the past 15 years of delivering to Disney. I must have had over 3 to 4 hundred letters, cards, postcards, pictures, emails and I got through less than 1/2 for again the memories were good and some not so good. I had dozens and dozens of pictures of my MAW wish children and their families also families in challenges plus others that received gifts and although noone ever knew (or so I thought) that wrote to tell me what their special wishes that came through and the changes it meant in their lives. Many I lost and many I lost contact with but to add the good, many survived and became well again, families getting a chance to realize what meant the most in their lives etc. I read the letter from the military families who I helped make their wishes come true well as much as possible and of course this couldn't have been made possible without my D.A.I.D (Disney angel in disguise) who went well over the impossible to make it possible. The wishes were all always reasonable but I sincerely believe the one that wanted to have a duel with Captain Hook had so many up and down memories was one of my favorites besides the little beautiful blonde hair MAW child that wanted a REAL elephant, but got a huge pink stuff elephant instead, but when I really think about it, all of them were so heartwarming and special. Most talked about stopping by the and making a wish at the wishing well I had at the shop. Most all of them were cute for you would think they would wish make the pain go away, they wanted to live etc, but there were very few of those. I remember the team of fairy Godmothers who ever year they went on their cruise would called to see who was going at the same time they were and behold they took over being D.A.I.D. There were those who I sent hundreds of packets of information on my hometown of Key West who thanked me for making their trip there more knowledgeable and enjoyable. I also remember the family that needed a place in Key West so one of the family members could receive her diaysis and my friends in Key West made it possible by finding a special place on a Sunday to make that happen. So as I put those beautiful memories aside, I just want to say thank you to all of those who chose to share those memories with me for today, I really did need them. To the military families who's spouse were affected so deeply by putting their lives out for us and needed a
Disney cruise so just maybe the pain couldn't be forgotten if only for the moment, I am so glad Norm and I were a part of your lives. There are no words to tell you each what each of you have meant to Normie and I, but I will tell you this, memories I know can be priceless and I have the proof.
I have never once revealed who was our famous DAID, but I can tell you this, he was truely one heck of a gentleman that cared enough and showed it even with his high position with
DCL and so DAID whereever you are now, God has a very special place in heaven for you simply because you showed a heart of love and compassion and your position made dreams Magical and Wonderous for so many and for so many, lives were changed.
Also to the entire team of
Disney Cruise Line, I thank you for allowing me to be part of "the family team" for as long as you did for I gained so many friends that will remain in my heart forever. It was our sincere pleasure the past 15 years and I really mean it and also to the team of
Dreams Unlimited thank you for allowing me the sincere pleasure of posting for as many years as I have here. You all also leave inforgettable memories.
Always with love and most of all with THANK YOU for your love, support and kindness as now in my 80 year of life, I begin a new journey but you will always be very special in my memory of life. There is a song that I dedicate to you from the 40's and hope each time you hear it, you will know it is from me to you. It's call "Thanks for the memories".
May each of you always have beauty, love, happiness, health and wealth in your life and most of all, always know you were loved and appreciated.
Always
Shirley and Normie too from Conch Heaven
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Jan 3, 2015
