Make a Wish Foundation - A Reminder

[mrsltg]

Hi All-

DH and I were at the World last week without the girls. We were having a great time and were sitting outside of the viking church in Epcot. A family came walking by with a child in a wheelchair and a couple more walking along side. They were wearing "Make a Wish" shirts and seemed to be having a great time. I lost it. I turned to my husband and said, "they don't get to say 'next time we come here'." It was 80 degrees and I was freezing cold. Two and half years ago we lost our son fairly suddenly. Every now and again I am sent a stunning reminder of how tenuous all of this is.

The point of this is to gently remind everyone that the little things don't really matter and the big things should be concentrated on. I know the dis is a big place and there a more than a few mothers who, like me, are missing a child, and even more with sick children or family members. I wish you all a happy holiday season and many more happy memories to come. To the family I saw at WDW, I do hope there is a 'next time'.

 

[Disneyland1084]

 

[rie'smom]

Thank-you!!!

 

[mickeyboat]

Thanks for the perspective.

Denae

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

Wow - thanks for this reminder! And to you and everyone else who has lost a child!

 

[mla973]

Thanks for the reminder...

As a Make-A-Wish volunteer, we continually hear from families that their Disney vacation makes up some of the happiest times they've spent together. The Foundation works to grant wishes so that potentially terminally ill children can take a break from their illness and have a moment to just be kids.

Thanks to all of you who have donated time and money to this worthy cause!

 

[Keggy]

In college I did a good deal of volunteer work with Children's Miracle Network. Two weeks before a large event that was coming up, one of "our kids" passed. At the funeral for the child were dozens of posterboards posted around the room with pictures from their Make a Wish trip to WDW, that they had recently taken. The parents kept saying that it was priceless to have been able to take that trip with their daughter before she passed....

Good reminder...

 

[AmazingGrace]

My son is a wish kid, and when we went to Disney, that was one of the most special times our family has had. God bless those involved with Make a Wish.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Thanks for this always important reminder. I am sorry for your loss.

 

[Kitty 34]

Thanks for sharing this story.

 

[AuntieM03]

Thanks for the reminder.

 

[akhenaten]

to you erin.....

thanks for the reminder and the perspective......

 

[olena]

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Thanks for sharing. Blessings to you and your family this holiday season. I am usually sitting in the wheelchair area in the parks and sometimes wish familys are with us. I dont talk to them usually, only because I want them to enjoy every special minute together. But tears are always usually in my eyes. My ds got to go to Give Kids the World in May as part of his senior class trip mission project. He was a porcupine puppet for the kids on evening at a puppet show during ice cream time I think. My friends dd also got a wish but her mom wanted someone else to have it who was much sicker.

 

[SueM in MN]

A good reminder.

 

[wdw4us]

I found out today that a co-worker that I have know for well over 10 years had lost a child. She has never said a word to any of us. She has 3 very accomplished girls and she always talks about them but I never knew she'd had a 4th. How awful.

Last March Mark and I were at MGM and speaking with a very nice family. They were on a WISH. Their son had a disease that would take him in his teens and he and his twin sister were at that time 13. There was a bunch of them. He looked much younger than her. We spoke with the mother and she was very accepting of it and knew that their days were numbered. It was quite an impact for us. They were from California and had to come at that time of year to WDW because he could not be in the extreme hot sun. What a special family and so strong.

Thinking of all of you who have lost those special ones in your life. Take care.

denise

 

[joshsmom]

Hi All-

DH and I were at the World last week without the girls. We were having a great time and were sitting outside of the viking church in Epcot. A family came walking by with a child in a wheelchair and a couple more walking along side. They were wearing "Make a Wish" shirts and seemed to be having a great time. I lost it. I turned to my husband and said, "they don't get to say 'next time we come here'." It was 80 degrees and I was freezing cold. Two and half years ago we lost our son fairly suddenly. Every now and again I am sent a stunning reminder of how tenuous all of this is.

The point of this is to gently remind everyone that the little things don't really matter and the big things should be concentrated on. I know the dis is a big place and there a more than a few mothers who, like me, are missing a child, and even more with sick children or family members. I wish you all a happy holiday season and many more happy memories to come. To the family I saw at WDW, I do hope there is a 'next time'.

My son is a Wish Kid and this is SO true. Thank you for reminding all of us that we don't know who's hurting out there, but we are all a family that can support each other. and thanks again for this reminder.

 

[ZPT1022]

Thanks for the reminder at this often stressful time of year. I come to this from the perspective of a child whose lost a parent at a young age but it's always good to have a reminder not to take those you love for granted. I can't imagine losing one of my kids- I don't know how I'd carry on, although I suppose you have to for the other ones. To all of you who have lost a child

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Hugs to you and my deepest sympathy for your loss. Your kindness in reminding us all to cherish every moment we have with our children and loved ones is appreciated.

I went along to help my niece and her husband manage two ill children taking a once-in-a-lifetime Wish trip this past summer. The people at Disney World and at Give Kids The World Village gave the family such an incredible experience. I can't say enough about GKTW. I'd love to volunteer there and have been looking into ways I can.