Now, I might have misled some of you. This was very magical for me but in a truly personal spiritual way. I don't have pictures.
I went into one of the shops at AK to buy my mom a carved wooden animal. (She collects them.) The shop had Judy Derench as their featured artist. She was carving away. I made small talk and said I was shopping for my mom. Something pushed me forward to add that it is tougher this year because it needs to be special. I shared that my dad was very ill.
I looked around and found a baby elephant. I chose it because on Father's Day we found out that my SIL was expecting. So I purchased it, and Judy began to sign it. We had a whole conversation where I revealed that my dad had stage iv cancer. I gave her the whole story about the whipple that didn't happen bc the cancer had spread, etc. She told me anout her mother's recent diagnosis of cancer and their current journey.
As she wrapped the elephant, she said that she had something for me. She explained that she sells these carvings called "Hugs" but that she had one left and she had a feeling that it was meant for me. She told me I could keep it or pass it along.
I cried and told her that I knew exactly who it would be for. I wanted to give it to my niece or nephew when s/he is born. I said it would be from my father. She said to make sure his DNA was on it. (She shared a bit about her background which included something in the bio/ science field (along with working in a field related to cancer).
We hugged and I left the store crying. It was cathartic for me to be able to grieve, have someone understand, and make a special connection that linked Disney to my dad to my future niece or nephew (who will certainly be at Disney someday!)
When I gave my mom her elephant, I told my parents the story and gave my father the sculpture which is about 3 inches. I explained that I would give it to the baby, and I wanted his DNA on it. (which still sounds so weird...but...) A couple of days before my dad passed, I took the hug from his nightstand. (He was no longer in his own bed; he was in a hospital bed in my childhood room.) I told my mom that I had it and she said my father almost told my SIL and brother about it.
I love touching it now; it will sit on my dresser until I give it to my niece or nephew. I know my dad's DNA is all over it.
The finish on it is nearly rubbed off on one side from my dad holding it in his hand and caressing it. He was excited to have a new grandchild, and this will be a big hug from Pop Pop to tell my brother's baby how much he would have loved him/ her.
I promise to stop lurking. I will admit though that a couple of nights ago when reading one of your posts on Jackie's TR's I proclaimed jealousy over your four tickers! 
The story about the hug sculpture had me in tears.
It was so odd!
)
