Need some special help....long...please read!

[disprincessatheart]

How about one of those engraved bricks @ MK or EPCOT with your husbands name? You could explain to your daughters how much your husband love WDW and haw he wanted them to love it, too. Finding the brick could be a special part of future trips, and can keep your kids and WDW and their dad connected.

Sadly they stopped selling these a few years back - we tried to buy one this year to commemorate our WDW wedding and weren't able to do it.

 

[ERMama]

Everyone grieves in their own way. You have to do whats right for you.

I just wanted to say maybe just not put so much pressure on yourself to do something perfectly "special" to honor him. Sounds like he would be just as happy that you are going back to Disney. Im sure as you are there memories of the last trip will surface. If your children bring them up encourage them to do so and remember the fun. Dont force them to remember (as to not make them feel bad if in fact that cant recall exactly) but you can whisper in their ears stuff like "oh daddy loved going on this ride with you". Maybe your something special could be going on his favorite ride and before it starts begin a tradition of saying something special. Whether it be "were riding this one for you daddy" or just something silly like "bibbidi bottity boo, dad this ones for you".

I am so sorry that he is gone but there is nothing that can take away the happy time you all shared there.
I also just wanted to say to make sure you give yourself permission to be happy and have fun on this trip. You will never forget him and make sure to smile in remembrance of him.

 

[PADISFAM]

4fordisney--I think of you very often your story touched me in such a strong way...........I am so glad you are taking your beautiful girls back to Disney, I'm sure their Daddy would be so pleased.

Follow the girls lead on what their needs are, cry all you want, sit and watch the fireworks with your arms around your wonderful babies.

It will be bittersweet, but I hope you do get some enjoyment from this trip.

 

[Princess April]

Here is another thought.... *warning reeeeeallllllyyyyy long*
I was raised by my grandparents and when I was 5 months pregnant with DD my "Gamer" passed away. They had been married for 52 years and had a wonderful life together and he was right by her side holding her hand as she passed away from breast cancer. This all happened July 7, 2003
Fast forward to Dec. 2004. Daddy is still in a fog (as I'm sure you and your family are) and he just couldn't get into the Christmas spirit. (understandable) So, we invited him to come stay with us and we would take him to Epcot (our treat) It was literally magic what Disney can do to lift the spirits (especially at the holidays). We ambled around listening to all the holiday story tellers and cuddled together and watched the fireworks display at then end of the evening. Sure he missed her, we all still do, but there is really something about that place that does wonders for the spirit. Besides honoring your DH also use this opportunity to make new memories.

Also, on our last trip (Sept. 2008) we experienced something like what you are referring to.... It was day 3 and we were sitting in Animal Kingdom having lunch (DH, DD, ME and DGFATHER) when DH gets a call. He looks at his cell phone and says "I wonder why my dad is calling me?" I told him to go ahead and call him back, we were just finishing lunch after all and we had a few minutes to spare.... Well, needless to say it wasn't his father, it was his step mother telling him that his father had passed away late the night before. All I could do was cry and DH just sat there in shock. We decided to end our trip early and DD was both sad about leaving Disney and sad because grandpa Dominick went to heaven. Before leaving the next day and heading to Miami for the funeral we went to the Magic Kingdom to convert out 6 day tickets to Fl. resident seasonal passes. DD had a fit and wanted to stop and collect the "glitter" mickey heads off the ground and we just didn't have all the time in the world to do that (we were all super stressed at that point). I went back into guest relations and asked if they had any mickey glitter that they could give DD and they sadly said no, I thanked him and went to leave and the CM asked me if everything was okay.... I proceeded to tell him what had happened the day before and why we were leaving and he said the sweetest thing... he told me that at Disney they try to keep the outside world out, but unfortunately sometimes it sneaks in. He took DD by the hand (w/ me) and went to the gift store right next door. He let DD pick out a stuffed animal of her choice and he found some packed Tinkerbell glitter and gave it to her telling her that Mickey was very sad about her loss and that he hoped that the stuffed Simba and glitter made her feel better..... (I'm tearing up writing this). I know it made DD happy but it really touched my heart.
On day 1 go to guest relations and tell them your story and maybe they can help you. Hugs and prayers to you and your little ones.... . God Bless and have a wonderful trip.

 

[melancholywings]

I just wanted to tell you my heart goes out to you. I lost my parents when I was young.

 

[happymommy]

I am so sorry about your loss

You are so brave, and going to Disney should be a great idea. I agree, don't overplan. Take it easy, let the kids express what they want to do. You are creating new memories for them. That is so cool.

I know another Dis-er who tragically lost her DH this year also, and she is also being brave to go enjoy Disney this December (I get to see her one day there, if all goes well, and am so looking forward to it). I think it's both brave, and smart, you are very much alive, your girls are also, and you get to cherish that!

I don't know how hard it's been for you, but wish you and your girls well.

 

[ALittleDisneyFan]

I am so sorry for your loss.

I'm going to be perfectly honest with you- my Dad died in May and my mother took us in August. It WAS a very hard trip. My mother had a lot of breakdowns which in turn had my brother and I breaking down as well. Back then you could still do the legacy on the ground and we had one made in his honor which we visit each trip.

Just take it easy. It may be overwhelming and try to ease your 6-yr-olds anxiety before the trip.

 

[kpadalik]

I used to post on the board quite a bit and then we had tragedy hit our family. We had just returned from Disney this past April 08 on the 12th. My husbands birthday was on the 13th ( he turned 31 ) and then he passed away completely unexpectedly on the 16th. ( due to sudden heart death ) We have two incredible little girls who are grieving their daddy so much right now. They are only 6 and 4. Well it was my husband's dream to raise our girls going to disney. We had even bought into the DVC while there in April. I was able to cancel it, just not sure if I should keep it at that point. I am still in shock to say the least but I am at least out of the fog enough to try and be there for my girls. I miss him so much every second of every day. We had the fairytale romance and we would have been married 11yrs in July. But we still felt like newlyweds. Here is my question to all of the dis people....

We arrive in Disney on Dec 3 with a party of 10. No one has ever been there out of our party except myself and my girls. I am only going back so soon because I know if I don't do this now I might not ever take them back. Just so many memories that I am scared to do this. I really want to do something special for my girls that would make the trip very special and yet somehow maybe make it a little easier for them. My six yr old is getting pretty nervous the closer it gets. I have even asked her if she would rather not go and she still wants to but tells me that she might cry. Which I tell is perfectly fine! We are staying at POP, the only place we have stayed so far and I am wondering if the resort might help me plan something special or even something really cool in a park. Any suggestions would be awesome!

Thank you dis friends and I look forward to your ideas!

PS some of you may remember my last time i was searching for help on here! My husband wanted to make my little girls dream come true, long story short, and it was awesome how disney helped us. Just hoping this time they can really come through....lots of memories we are about to embark upon!

I was just following up on some old threads that I had subscribed to and I was wondering how your trip went? Did you and your girls do something for your DH? I hope your trip went well and you were able to make some new and beautiful memories with your daughters.