Unforeseen Cirumstances

[calypso726]

Next month was supposed to be my parents' first ABD and first trip to Europe on the adult's only London/Paris Knights and Lights tour. Everyone was very excited about the upcoming vacation. Unbeknownst to the family my dad had cancer. It was an aggressive type that lay hidden and that got really bad really fast.

The silver lining in all this is that we had a few weeks to come to terms with the inevitable and say our I love yous and our goodbyes. My dad insisted that we not cancel any vacation plans and that we take this ABD trip since life is too short and you never know how long you have. He passed away last week in hospice.

There will be an eventual trip insurance claim that will need to be filed which DU advised we do after the trip so my mom will still be covered should something happen prior to or during the trip. Cancelling flights, pre-trip tours, seeing what can be done through ABD and Dreams Unlimited etc. amounts to a good deal of stress. My dad will be with us in our hearts and in our minds and I imagine the memories we make will be somewhat bittersweet.

I suppose the point of my rambling is to share the sentiment that we should make the most of everyday we have. Don't wait until "some day" or next year to take an amazing family vacation and create memories that last a lifetime. Sometimes "some day" and next year doesn't come and unforeseen circumstances happen when you least expect them to.

 

[sayhello]

I am SO, SO sorry to hear about your loss, Terrie! I literally just finished reading a post about a dear friend who is in Hospice, dying after a 2-year struggle with cancer. It's so true, that you just don't know how long you have, or what the future holds. Do what you can when you can, and enjoy.

I hope you and Wally and your Mother are still able to have a wonderful trip, and enjoy it as a memorial to your Father. I'm sure he'll be smiling down at you.

I'm so glad you have ABD and DU to help you through the mess and get you to your trip and beyond.

*hugs*
Sayhello

 

[Tozzie]

Next month was supposed to be my parents' first ABD and first trip to Europe on the adult's only London/Paris Knights and Lights tour. Everyone was very excited about the upcoming vacation. Unbeknownst to the family my dad had cancer. It was an aggressive type that lay hidden and that got really bad really fast.

The silver lining in all this is that we had a few weeks to come to terms with the inevitable and say our I love yous and our goodbyes. My dad insisted that we not cancel any vacation plans and that we take this ABD trip since life is too short and you never know how long you have. He passed away last week in hospice.

There will be an eventual trip insurance claim that will need to be filed after the trip which DU advised we do after the trip so my mom will still be covered should something happen prior to or during the trip. Cancelling flights, pre-trip tours, seeing what can be done through ABD and Dreams Unlimited etc. amounts to a good deal of stress. My dad will be with us in our hearts and in our minds and I imagine the memories we make will be somewhat bittersweet.

I suppose the point of my rambling is share the sentiment that we should make the most of everyday we have. Don't wait until "some day" or next year to take an amazing family vacation and create memories that last a lifetime. Sometimes "some day" and next year doesn't come and unforeseen circumstances happen when you least expect them to.

I am very very sorry for your loss, I know the feeling my dad passed away 11 years ago only 2 months after being diagnosed with cancer.

Due to events in my life I have lived for many years by the addage "no one is promised tommorow. After my cousin passed away very unexpectedly last year at 37 I ended up booking 2 ABD trips this year.

Hugs.

 

[tracyv]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Sending hugs and prayers to you and your family.

 

[Chernabog#1fan]

I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my dad last year unexpectedly after what was supposed to be a routine surgery. It is still hard and I miss him everyday.

I hope you make as many positive memories as possible on this trip.

 

[Cousin Orville]

I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. Your sentiment is 100% right. We must all live every day to its fullest. I certainly hope you have a wonderful and meaningful trip.

 

[hilarys]

I am so sorry for your loss. It must be a very difficult time for you and your family. Please do enjoy the trip and think of your father often on it - he would want you to enjoy the experience to the fullest.

Hilary

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Oh, Terrie, big hug from all of us. I'm so so sorry to hear this. Your father sounds like a very wise and generous man--he is so right, we never know how long we have and we must remember to enjoy the days that are given to us. Thinking of you!

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

I am so very sorry for your loss and so glad that you and your mom are still planning to make the trip. Making some new memories going forward is a positive step. It will be a nice escape and the Knights/Lights trip is amazing.

Laurie

 

[mbferruggia]

So sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your feelings with all of us.

 

[Calfan]

So, so sorry for the loss of your father, Terrie. Condolences from all of us. I hope you, Wally and your mom are able enjoy the trip while remembering and honoring your dad. It sounds like he had an amazing attitude and one I subscribe to fully.

Laura

 

[calypso726]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and sympathies, they are very much appreciated.

 

[distravel]

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Your zest for life is apparent in your posts and your father's desire for the rest of your family to continue on with your ABD shows where you get your wonderful spirit from.

The trip will be a good distraction from your grief and an opportunity to have family bonding with your Mom. Your Dad sounds like a wise man and he will be there in your hearts.

Kathy

 

[tgeorge]

I too am sorry to hear about your loss. My mom and I took my grandma on a cruise for her 81st birthday in 2011. Six months later she ended up in a nursing home and is now in an advanced stages of dementia and won't be with us for much longer. Whenever I look through our photo book and remember that trip and the fun we all had I will forever be grateful. Those memories can never be taken away. Enjoy your trip with your mom and husband! While there will be some bittersweet moments you will know that you're doing exactly what your dad wanted.

There are times when I think I can just put something off for another time but then I try to remind myself that life is short and we only get one chance at it so we need to enjoy it to the fullest. I want to look back on my life and be able to say that I can't believe I got to have all those experiences!!

Enjoy your trip. We will all be looking forward to hear about it when you return.

 

[Giwreh]

As my own partner passed away of cancer, 7 years ago, the only thing I can testify is how important it had been to be there with her, until the very last moment...

 

[pumpkinhead10a]

So sorry for your loss, being sick myself I can understand your Dad desire for you and your family to continue with your plans! It's a very hard thing to do but celebrate your memories of him during your trip as you all will thinking of him often.

Wishing your Mom and your family all the best!!

 

[knewton64]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and sympathies, they are very much appreciated.

coming your way.




Will be thinking of you.






T.T.F.N.

 

[Praise2Him]

I'm so so sorry for your loss. Your dad sounds like a wonderful person and I'm sure you have many good memories of him.

My husband found out 3 weeks before our first ABD (just a month ago) that he has cancer. Fortunately his doctor allowed him to go on the trip and start treatment immediately upon our return. Hopefully we'll have many more trips, but we are thankful for the memories we made, and we try to make the most of every day.

 

[RSM]

So very sorry to hear of your loss. Your dad sounds like he had a kind and generous spirit. We echo the sentiment of many to live for the day. Six years ago my wife was diagnosed with uterine and an aggressive form of ovarian cancer. We were incredibly lucky that it was found early. After a long six months of chemo , we were able to celebrate her one year anniversary of being cancer free on our first ABD, and we haven't stopped trying to make family memories ever since. Whenever we get too hung up on thinking about the future, we think of the paradox that Einstein once presented: "Life is a preparation for the future, and the best preparation for the future is to live as if there were none".

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I'm so so sorry for your loss.

I lost my mom suddenly 2 years ago 2 days before our London / Paris ABD. My TA, ABD and the insurance company were all amazing.

Enjoy your trip and know that your dad will be with you in spirit.

ITA with others, enjoy life and never take a single moment for granted.