Memorializing a loved one at WDW

[hforman]

Hi,
I'm sorry this is such a dismal question, but does anyone have any ideas about how to memorialize or acknowledge a lost loved one while on your WDW vacation? My parents' 50th anniversary is this June, and for nearly 2 years they have planned to take their children and grandchildren to WDW to celebrate - all 14 of us. Last October my sister's brain cancer recurred and she died in December. We didn't even talk about the trip for a few months because it seemed inappropriate, but now we're looking forward to it again. Still, I don't feel right about going and ignoring the fact that she's not there. I don't want to needlessly upset her husband, 3 children, or my parents, either. Any thoughts?
Thanks, Heather

 

[maggs1035]

Hmmm... Maybe something small like a little ribbon tied around your sleeve like sport figures do? You know how the pink ribbon stands for breat cancer, something that you can hand out with the story of what it means in the beginning of the trip and then just let it rest from there.

Or how about having some of those rubber wrist bands made up with a symbol of something that would remind everyone that she's with you? However I have no idea where to get those made?

Im very sorry for your loss and hope you all have a wonderful trip.

 

[Janilou2012]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I'm sure everyone in your family is probably wondering the same thing. Have you talked to them? I know you say you don't want to upset anyone, but by simply expressing your wish to remember your sister, and have her memory there with you at the parks, maybe the entire family would welcome the opportunity to come up with something meaningful to everyone that would help.
I'm sure your sister would want you all to have a wonderful time. I know I would if it were me.
All the very best,
Jan

PS I see you mentioned you are going in June. My daughter and I are going then too, from the 11th to the 18th.

 

[Belle-To-Be]

A friend of mine released balloons at the Magic Kingdom in honor of her loved one. It was a tribute and a time of reflection.

 

[maggs1035]

A friend of mine released balloons at the Magic Kingdom in honor of her loved one. It was a tribute and a time of reflection.

I love this idea!

 

[tms295psu]

A friend of mine released balloons at the Magic Kingdom in honor of her loved one. It was a tribute and a time of reflection.

I was thinking the same thing!!! And even if the rest of the family would be upset by a "memorial" you can easily pull this off unnoticed... to give yourself the memorial you need to remember your sister.

 

[hforman]

I was thinking the same thing!!! And even if the rest of the family would be upset by a "memorial" you can easily pull this off unnoticed... to give yourself the memorial you need to remember your sister.

Thank you all so much! That is perfect. A toast didn't seem right and I didn't want to put everyone on the spot. But I think writing something on a balloon and letting it go is lovely.

 

[ericalynn1979]

While I'm not a fan of balloon releases for environmental reasons, I think a balloon release on Main Street in front of the castle would be a very easy thing for a family to gather together and do.

 

[scrapquitler]

How about having a pin with her photo made to wear in the park? If you can find a picture of her at WDW from a prior trip (if one exists) that might make it even better.

 

[bankgirl05]

Did she have a favorite disney character? Maybe you could each wear a pin or even a shirt with that character, you can give them to everyone at your first meal, or give them, send them before you leave with a card inscribed witha little remembrance like:

"(Sister) loved (Mickey Mouse) from the second time she saw him (the first time she was terrified and wouldn't go near him!) Even thoug she is not with us, our memories and laughter still are."

I am truly sorry for your loss, and I hope that as painful as some moments are going to be, that you will have many more joyful moments during your trip!

 

[livndisney]

While I'm not a fan of balloon releases for environmental reasons, I think a balloon release on Main Street in front of the castle would be a very easy thing for a family to gather together and do.

On the environmental thing-you might want to do some research before doing planning a balloon release. Florida has laws about balloon releases-and fines.....

http://fishology.blogs.theledger.co...es-releasing-more-than-nine-balloons-illegal/

http://myfwc.com/news/news-releases/2011/august/03/balloons/

 

[Mel522]

Instead of a balloon release, you could do a balloon give away. Buy a balloon and give it away to a small child. Maybe one that reminds you in some way of your sister.

 

[hforman]

How about having a pin with her photo made to wear in the park? If you can find a picture of her at WDW from a prior trip (if one exists) that might make it even better.

That's a great idea, actually. I did get lanyards for everyone and pins for the kids.

 

[hforman]

On the environmental thing-you might want to do some research before doing planning a balloon release. Florida has laws about balloon releases-and fines.....

http://fishology.blogs.theledger.co...es-releasing-more-than-nine-balloons-illegal/

http://myfwc.com/news/news-releases/2011/august/03/balloons/

Good point. I think the pins are a good idea.

 

[kim929]

I am so sorry for your loss.

my mother passed away in March. A family friend went to Disney a few weeks later and released a balloon.
I like the pin idea or a ribbon with the color that represents the type of cancer she had.

 

[hforman]

I am so sorry for your loss.

my mother passed away in March. A family friend went to Disney a few weeks later and released a balloon.
I like the pin idea or a ribbon with the color that represents the type of cancer she had.

Sorry to hear about your mother. I'm relieved, though, that I'm not the only one who thinks this way. I was afraid it was a nutty question.

 

[sonnesolsun]

My family and I lost my dad six years ago. We are all going on a huge trip this summer. I went to the DISign board and they made a mickey head with mickey fishing, my dad's favorite past time, and put his name on it. We plan on printing it out and laminating it and attaching it to our bag.

 

[ToddyLu]

My FILs last trip to Disney with us was a family gathering in 2004. He passed from cancer the following year. He was sick during our trip and my DH and his Brother were "his protectors" because he had never used a scooter before. They were his Secret Service with sunglasses and walking a foot away from his scotter on either side----the entire trip-- when he was out. At the time it was kinda humurous but when we got the pictures back, it is now a cherished memory. My Brother and DH have the same photo of them walking down the street in DHS-- BIL on the left and DH on the right with Pop in the middle. Precious....Pop is smiling in the photo but the guys are not which adds to the whole Secret Service look.

Sorry this is long, I loved my FIL...my BIL gave him the code name "Nemo" during the trip. On the day we met them in DHS, my BIL called my DH to let him know they had arrived at the gate so he could help with Pop. My BIL calls my DH and says "Nemo has left the reef, I repeat Nemo has left reef". We still laugh and talk about that famous line.

On our first trip back to WDW with MIL in 2006 we scouted and looked for a small Nemo pin. After days we finally found one...I think the only one...it was divine intervention. So she happily wears that each trip. We have since been back with her several times and Wishes is still hard for her and Illuminations hard for DH. But we remember the joy that Pop had on his special trip...and that makes Disney even more magical.

I like the pin idea, if only just for you. MIL's pin will come out when we had back this October. No need to talk about it, is now just a part of the trip.

Please know that your family is my thoughts and prayers. Have a special trip.

 

[cheermom1]

So sorry for your loss...I would pick a ribbon with her fav character and tie it around your bag/back pack or whatever you use for the parks.

I know if it were me my family would pick a purple tinkerbell ribbon as an example.

 

[LifeIsDis]

To start off, I'm very sorry about your loss.

My grandmother's favorite resort was the Beach Club. She died about 10 years ago. So on our past trip, we took one of the cards you get at a funeral that was for my grandmother, and put it in a plant in the lobby at the Beach Club. So my grandmother could spend some time at her favorite resort