Sad coincidences

[ChefBilly]

Just back from five days at OKW/SSR and had a great time... Considering the sad coincidence that occured while we were there.

I used to work in the news business, and was lucky enough to attend several press events at WDW. A year ago last January we were at WDW for the resorts promotion. Our handler had just picked us up from Pop Century and we were heading to Chef Mickey's for breakfast when my cell phone rang. I saw that the call was from my brother - who I am close with, but wouldn't normally be expecting a call from on a Disney trip. I had an inkling what it was about, and sadly I was correct. My grandmother had just died.

My grandmother had taken my brother and sisters and I to WDW for our first trip in 1981, and the most vivid memory I have from that trip was going to the Contemporary for the character breakfast - exactly where we were heading when I got the news.

Fast forward to last Thursday...
My wife and I had just arrived at WDW to celebrate my 40th birthday. We were tossing the suitcases into our room at OKW when my cell phone rang. I saw it was my mother-in-law and had a bad feeling about what it was. Again, I was correct... My wife's grandmother had just died.

There was obviously some sadness and tears, and a confounding feeling of deja vu. That night we fulfilled a request she made of us just as she got sick - we went to Raglan Road and raised a glass to Gram Fischer.

 

[winkers]

I'm so sorry for your loss! Last Feb. durring my dh & I's first trip to disneyworld his grandma passed away. It was strange to be in the happiest place on earth and still feel rather sad. This year I told everyone there will be no deaths durring our vacation, maybe that's what you need to do!

 

[ChefBilly]

I know! My wife said, "We need to stop coming here - we're killing off all our family members!"

(She kept her sense of humor through it all.)

 

[Hendoendo]

My deepest sympathies to you and your family. On the day of my mom's funeral we did what she would have wanted. All of my brothers and sisters went out to a bar and got really drunk. I think we all needed it. I sure she was having a few with us from above

 

[ChefBilly]

This might sound a bit... Off... But in a way it almost makes WDW more a part of our lives. We were there when we got life-changing news twice. And now whenever we're at that section of the property, we think of our family members who passed away.

 

[Heluvsme]

I can understand feeling more of a connection to those family members while you're there. I am transported back to memories of my mom when I'm at our cabin (she loved it there!) and also while on It's A Small World---my mom was a teacher and her classroom was decorated in IASW theme every year (she taught in a very diverse part of town).

I'm so sorry for your losses

 

[DISNEYDUET]

I am very sorry for your loss. I am glad to see that the happiest place on earth will help you remember all the happy times with your family. I feel the same way whenever I enter the MK. My first trip was with my grandparents. I was only 2 at the time but those pictures mean the world to me. We have taken a family picture infront of the firehouse every year since then. We got down to only 6 of us a few years ago but have now grown back to 9 and still growing.