May seem like too personal of a question but...

[imgoingtodisney]

{{hugs}}

 

[Debbie]

((((((hugs)))))) Do what you need to do for yourself and your family. My condolences on the loss of your wee babe. May you feel the blessings and strength of peace and love.

 

[DVC Daisy]

I cannot add anything further then what has already been said except to add my sorrow for your loss. Do whatever feels right for your family during this difficult time.

I may be there on the e-ride night you are planning on releasing the balloons. If I see any flying I promise to add my prayers to yours.

I hope you can find some sense of peace.

 

[Blueberry]

I wanted to say I am so very sorry for your loss and you have a beautiful tribute planned...

I have one suggestion as I read the post from a previous poster on number of balloons that can be released under Florida Law. Release a few balloons and then buy several more and hand them out to children along the parade route or during the day as you tour. Many kids who visit do not get a toy or a gift to take home and sharing your balloon gift in honor of your child will brighten some childs day considerablely..just a thought.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers...

 

[madonna31]

When I read this thread - a story that I read in an issue of Reader's Digest came to mind. A very touching, TRUE story:

Once upon a time in California, there was a family - Mom, Dad, and a little girl. The little girl loved Disney's movie "The Little Mermaid,"and Daddy would often read to her from the Twin Books/Mouseworks "Little Mermaid" storybook.

Then Daddy was killed in an accident.

Like most small children, the little girl didn't understand about death; she didn't know that Daddy wasn't coming back, and became morose and lonely when Daddy wasn't at home.

Some months later, on her daddy's birthday, Mom took the little girl shopping at a big department store. As happens with children, the little girl got a strange idea into her head: She wanted a balloon so she could tie a note to it for her Daddy in heaven. Mommy, trying anything to deal with her daughter's despair over her missing Daddy, let her pick out a balloon from a stall.

She went straight for a Mylar balloon of Ariel opening a treasure chest with the words "Happy Birthday" above the mermaid.

At home, the little girl wrote the note, Momma put the address on it to humor the child, and they let it go. In Southern California.

A week later, the balloon came down in the woods near a town in
Newfoundland, Canada, which was only miles from the Atlantic Ocean. The ballooon had survived more than 3,000 miles in the atmosphere to land near a town named - Mermaid.

A hunter from Mermaid found the balloon, and when he and his wife read the note, they were amazed and heartbroken. They bought a gift for the little girl - a bookstore copy of Hans Christian Andersen's original fairy tale - and mailed it to her with an explanation that because Daddy couldn't be there for her birthday, he had "sent" them the balloon from heaven to ask them to get something for his little girl.

When her mother read the little girl the story, she was afraid that her daughter might be upset by Andersen's original ending, in which the nameless mermaid fails in the contract with the sea witch and dies, becoming "death-cold sea foam," with her spirit ascending into the skies toward Heaven. Instead, the little girl was able to find peace with her Daddy's death, knowing that their friend "Ariel" was there to take care of him.

Again, this is a TRUE story, reported on by TV, newspapers and Reader's Digest. But at the bottom of the Digest reprint, in italics, was the note that Atlantis Films (how appropriate), a Canadian film company, is making a movie out of this story.

 

[t2simon]

As mom to an angel of my own, I say, do what you need to do to memorialize your angel. I am also an environmentalist type person, but I don't think that a few balloons will hurt.

Do what helps to heal your hearts. So often, after some time, people think you should be "over it", and should "move on with your life". We never move on from the loss of our angels, we just go on with our lives as best we can.

Take Care and Stay Strong!!!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

How to thank all of you for all of your well wishes, pixie dust and hugs, I do not know. I never imagined my post would bring such beautiful responses. Again..kindness from strangers lets me know how small a world we live in. And how truly beautiful it, and the creatures whom dwell on it, are.

I think we have decided to release one balloon (for his first birthday) and sing a little, cry a little and laugh a little. I love the story of the "little Mermaid" and the note. Who knows maybe I'll be brave enough to try that. I also think we're going to try buying extra balloons and giving them to children. Our own random act of kindness for the day.

Thanks for the poem"seven" I have found that the most painful question in the world is "How many children do you have." Never know how to answer something so simple, yet so complicated. In my heart there are three, two beautiful healthy boys and one son who missed out on all of the pleasures and sorrows of life.

As far as donating, we actually have done quite a bit in his honor, but the thought of some kid going to Disney because of him is wonderful, so you can bet that I'll look into that too. We actually just purchased rings for our local berevement program that can be placed on the infants hand and tthen later put on a necklace or bracelet for the mom to always have near her something that her infant touched.

So in conclusion, I'll be the person in some secluded pathway weeping quitely for love lost on August 19, 2002, but there will be a smile lurking there somewhere because all of you have wished him well. So if you see a balloon flying by on August 19 this year around 10:22 pm, and some bubbles gently floating into the sky, please know how much your encouragement has ment to my family.


Fondly,

Maureen
(Roddy's Momma)

 

[Minniespal]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I don't have any children and cannot appreciate how you must be feeling. I don't think there would be a problem but perhaps it would be best to check it out with WDW.

I know that your child will always be in your thoughts and in your hearts but what about leaving some sort of permanent reminder. I know that you cannot buy a tile in the MK anymore but you could leave a legacy.

I don't know if this is of any help but good luck for the anniversary whatever happens.

 

[CathyCanada]

I think this is a lovely idea and if it helps to ease your pain, that would be a wonderful way to remember Roddy.

Hugs to you, Maureen and I only wish I could be there in person at that time to personally give you the hug!
Cathy

 

[Lisa96]

Just wanted to add my prayers and hugs to all those that you've received. My heart just breaks to hear of such a loss. I know how I hurt at not having a chance to have children - I truly cannot imagine the pain of having a child and having to lose it.

There is a lovely wishing well in a secluded nook on the right side pathway that faces the castle. I've been to WDW numerous times and only just discovered this spot recently, and it might be a nice place for your family to gather.

 

[disneyfan551]

Many {{{{{HUGS}}}}}} for you and your family. I think what you are doing is beautiful. The thought of losing a child is so unimaginable to me. We went through years of infertility treatments, and once we conceived I was so afraid of losing her, as several of my friends had. However, we never know why or when it is going to happen. God did bless us with a healthy daughter, and I am so thankful every single day. May God continue to lead you and bless you every day. Keep the faith, sweetie!!

 

[trracers]

Please know that on Aug 19, my thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family. God bless all of you and may you find peace in your gesture. Whether 1 or 1000 balloons!

I too, during out trip (Aug 31 - Sept 7) will purchase some balloons for my daughter to hand out to other children in memory of your lost angel.

God's peace to you and yours,