Reflections on the trip of a lifetime!!!

[lovingthemouse]

I can plainly see that i was the last know of this major coup that Debbie and Leslie pulled off - in fact, some pretty incredible things happened to all 51 of us this past week that i would like to share with you all.
You know, in hindsight, there should have been signals i saw that would have given away their secrecy, but i think i am either too naive or was too focused on getting this trip to happen!!

So, here goes...............

i am standing in MGM with my kids on Tuesday a m, when two of them grab my hand and tell me i need to see something - as i move quickly - there stands Debbie. Seems like the story could begin and end here too.....I hugged her so long and hard, i could probably have broken ribs! I mean, for four years we have chatted, exchanged pictures or sent those Epcot postcards, but the reality of meeting someone after all this time was just too overwhelming...it was one of those moments in time you want to hold on to! Ironically, i had mentioned to Debbie that i wished she could have come to meet the kids who had become a part of her visual library through my descriptions over the months.

What she didn't and will not mention is that she and her special mom had helped sponsor one of my students on this trip - a wonderful boy who would not have been able to join us, but whose mom had cried incredibly when my principal and I had told her of someone's generosity!!! He is every teacher's dream- a great, hard working kid whom life has set many obstacles in front of. What his mom had told him was that an "angel" had made this trip possible. Let me tell you, on this trip , he and his "angel" bonded!!!

Other little known Debbie facts... she has a most wonderful way of gaining kids' trust through her giving nature - not just her kids' lanyard trades, but her compassion for understanding what some of these kids experienced. She has made many friends!!! Did you know she sings a mean"the lion sleeps tonight?" Just sit next to her at the Festival of the Lion King show!!...that she does not like being"misted on" by the water in the Fantasmic show but did sit there with us the entire time! ..that if one more kid had asked here to trade, she might have run out of pins, but always had more kid stash?
...or that her generous and giving personality earned her a coveted Scoop pin with much gratitude and appreciation from 43 kids who clapped very loudly for her?

I look at it this way, my life and that of many of my trip participants was permanently enriched by Debbie's wonderful heart! And yes, there were many tears as we all parted company on Thursday night after Fantasmic - but we have gained a true and wonderful friend!!

Thank you Debbie for everything !!!

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Thank you Caroline. It was my honor and privilege to take part in this trip.

Debbie

 

[JudithM]

What amazing stories from both of you ladies! Caroline, the students good behavior & the compliments you received about them (Debbie mentioned it in another post) is a testimony to you & the other teachers. Well done, ladies!!

 

[perndwler]

Bumping this up, 'cause to me...... this is what makes this board and the people on it so special. Kudos to all that helped those kids have a MAGICAL time in their lives that they will always remember.