Remembering a loved one

[Lsdolphin]

[GALLERY=][/GALLERY]after my father passed away I was able to purchase an engraved space in his memory at "The Leave a Legacy" memorial located as you enter EPCOT. My nephew and I would visit this memorial every time we came to Disney. My beloved nephew passed away on January 29th, 2016 suddenly unexpectedly just 3 days before we were to vist WDW. Adam was autistic and struggled with several other disabilities but my family will always remember the joy the love and the laughter he brought to all of our lives. I remember actually seeing unused spaces on the memorials when we last visited in October and was wondering whether it was still possible to purchase one. Our trips to WDW were truly a source of joy and magic throughout Adams life and I am looking for a way to keep that magic for him forever.

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

I'm so sorry to hear of your father and nephew! I think this is a really beautiful gesture to remember them by.
I have to admit I never knew what these "Leave a Legacy" things were. They kind of creeped me out, probably because I associated it with our Holocaust memorials back home.
But after reading your post it changed how I look at them. I'd like to be remembered there someday

 

[Lsdolphin]

I'm so sorry to hear of your father and nephew! I think this is a really beautiful gesture to remember them by.
I have to admit I never knew what these "Leave a Legacy" things were. They kind of creeped me out, probably because I associated it with our Holocaust memorials back home.
But after reading your post it changed how I look at them. I'd like to be remembered there someday

Thank you. I actually think most messages on these structures (not really sure what to call them) are not necessarily in memory of those gone but just placed by people for fun....my father loved coming to Disney and it was a way my nephew and I could remember his joy and the fun we had there with him. Now that you mention they do sort of remind me of Yad Vashem but really I think they were designed to fit in with the "future" theme of EPCOT. I was planning to visit EPCOT in June just to see about "leaving a legacy" for my Adam but I contacted Disney today and was told that the "Leave a Legacy" program has been dis-continued. I dont know how it would be coming without him.

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

Thank you. I actually think most messages on these structures (not really sure what to call them) are not necessarily in memory of those gone but just placed by people for fun....my father loved coming to Disney and it was a way my nephew and I could remember his joy and the fun we had there with him. Now that you mention they do sort of remind me of Yad Vashem but really I think they were designed to fit in with the "future" theme of EPCOT. I was planning to visit EPCOT in June just to see about "leaving a legacy" for my Adam but I contacted Disney today and was told that the "Leave a Legacy" program has been dis-continued. I dont know how it would be coming without him.

Oh no
Maybe find some other way to remember him and take him with you? A T-shirt maybe?

 

[Lsdolphin]

That's a good idea...maybe wear some of his disney shirts he had some great ones!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I don't know if this helps, but we just went to the new Nomad Lounge in AK over the weekend. They have banners hanging in the restaurant that ask questions about travel. For $1 (85 cents of which goes to wildlife conservation), you can purchase a tag and write about your travels on the back of the tag. You then hang the tag on a board and our server said it would then be hung on the ceiling with the other tags. My DS8 did a lovely one on which he wrote about traveling with his family. Perhaps this is something you might consider incorporating in your memorial to your nephew.

 

[Lsdolphin]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I don't know if this helps, but we just went to the new Nomad Lounge in AK over the weekend. They have banners hanging in the restaurant that ask questions about travel. For $1 (85 cents of which goes to wildlife conservation), you can purchase a tag and write about your travels on the back of the tag. You then hang the tag on a board and our server said it would then be hung on the ceiling with the other tags. My DS8 did a lovely one on which he wrote about traveling with his family. Perhaps this is something you might consider incorporating in your memorial to your nephew.

What a wonderful idea. Thank you so much I am definitely going to do this!

 

[Lilbunnyk]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my son, also named Adam 4 years ago unexpectedly when he was a baby. I went to Disney World once while I was pregnant with him and always imagined us coming back as a family but that never happened. It's always hard to go back now and see kids that would be his age with their families but I think he would want us to continue doing what we love.

 

[Lsdolphin]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my son, also named Adam 4 years ago unexpectedly when he was a baby. I went to Disney World once while I was pregnant with him and always imagined us coming back as a family but that never happened. It's always hard to go back now and see kids that would be his age with their families but I think he would want us to continue doing what we love.

Thank you. I was very fortunate to have my Adam as long as I did. I have so many wonderful memories and although it will be hard to return without him by my side I do think you are right and he would want me to go back someday.
I am truly sorry for your loss as well.

 

[Ndusmama]

That's a good idea...maybe wear some of his disney shirts he had some great ones!

If he had a lot of shirts have you though that about making a memory quilt? You could print his face on fabric and make that the center and add the shirts as squares around, maybe put pictures of him at Disney wearing various shirts as part of the squares? If you can't see, there are people at quilting shops that might do it. I've lived in 4 states and each had a place with people willing to make quilts.

 

[Lsdolphin]

If he had a lot of shirts have you though that about making a memory quilt? You could print his face on fabric and make that the center and add the shirts as squares around, maybe put pictures of him at Disney wearing various shirts as part of the squares? If you can't see, there are people at quilting shops that might do it. I've lived in 4 states and each had a place with people willing to make quilts.

I love the idea and I had thought about it but Adam was 6'2" and his shirts are mostly size XXL so a quilt would be huge with space for only several shirts...and I think I will still try to make one and I love the idea to put his picture in the middle. I am thinking of using some of his shirts with sayings to make lg throw pillows that I could share with his cousins and a few of his friends. His shirt from the Special Olympics Nationals where he represented Maryland and won 3 swimming medals I am having framed.