Wow. I'm very sorry to hear about Sunshine.
I know that had to be so difficult for all of you, and I'm also sure you handled it well.
In order to help with your planning, I hereby volunteer to take her place on your trip. I am not sure what sleeping arrangements were made with Jake, but we will just have to work that out...
Sorry to hear about the late change in plans. I'm sure the trip will still be a very special one.
Very sorry to hear Sunshine is no longer joining - and that she and Jake are no longer dating. I can imagine how gutted you're all feeling. Putting myself in your shoes as I too am planning such a special trip, and I can imagine it's hard. But it sounds like the best decision was made here. I truly, wholeheartedly believe that everything happens for a reason. You all will still have such an incredible time
Oh you must just be gutted, you were so excited about having her with you.
So sad to hear Sunshine won't be joining. I hope she can get the help she needs. Anxiety its a terrible and weird thing all at the same time. Sending you all hugs. It is possible for her to succeed. I've been in similar shoes, and it gets better.
Long time lurker, first time posting. So sorry to hear this. I hope that you all will still very much enjoy the trip together as a family.
I'm so sorry to hear this for both her and your son. Young adulthood is a fun but rough time of life, things are changing fast, trying to figure out where you fit in the world, and all of that. And then how do you fit in with another person, as most young people are trying to find "the one." Lots going on.
I hope she makes a full recovery from whatever she is battling now and comes out even stronger
I too am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and that our lives are mapped out for us. Best wishes and thoughts go out to all. Anxiety happens to many many people at some point in their lives and hoping that Sunshine not only gets the help that she will need but talking to people who share the same feelings is sometimes the best cure....knowing that you are not alone. Stay Well Gina and all
I really hate to hear about kids and young adults with mental health struggles. Life is just starting out and there's a long way to go. I truly hope that Sunshine gets things under control very soon and she can find a space that works for her. I would imagine that having your family around her has been a blessing.
So sorry to hear your latest news.
Gina although I have never posted on your threads I have followed along on almost all your trips and have gained very valuable information through you.
Your excitement planning for this particular trip with Sunshine had me grinning to myself many times because I have a daughter her age and we plan our vacations always with her particular interests in mind. Often I have thought to myself what a wonderful family you are and, in particular, what a job well done with Jake. Sometimes, when the writing is on the wall we have to force ourselves to read it and make some difficult decisions. May your family have the best vacation yet and remember that tomorrow is an empty page and anything (good) can happen.
I'm sorry to hear that Sunshine won't be joining you on your trip. Many prayers for her and for your family and for her family as well.
Oh my gosh! I am so sorry! Your head must be spinning, on one hand worried about your baby boy, but also for Sunshine, and also for her family, let alone, ok now you need to rethink your plans and maybe lose some money! If anyone can regroup and re-plan anything that needs to be replanned, it is you! If this helps, I got a coupons in the mail for Krispy Kreme and thought of you. I will mail it to your resort if you want! I think you already earned yourself an extra donut!!
I'm so sorry about this situation, Gina. I had something similar happen to us, but it actually happened toward the end of our trip, and it sure did make for a couple of really uncomfortable and sad days. I'll be keeping you all in my prayers.
I'd be happy to send you one of my Steak & Shake gift cards to help make you feel better.
Sending love to you all. I am sad right along with you.
I am too familiar with anxiety and it's far reaching effects. I hope Sunshine is able to find treatment that helps her and brings her joy again. I'm so sorry you guys.
So sorry to hear about Sunshine.
I know you were so excited to take this trip and include her in your adventures. you will all spend this trip now as quality family time enjoying each others company and adjusting, while still having an amazing time!
Anxiety issues are hard to deal with and I am sure Sunshine knows you are still all there to support her.
Keep your head up and know you guys all have the support you guys need too.
Awe, I'm so sorry to hear about Sunshine
that was very mature of the two of them to make that hard decision and to still be able to remain friends. Im positive you guys will still make the best of this trip though!
To all of you......I want to give you my most heartfelt and sincere thanks. Your kind words have touched my heart more than you can ever imagine, on a series of days when I have felt absolutely despondent. I read many of your replies last night after my aqua fit class, and as the tears fell on my laptop keyboard, I couldn't muster the emotional wherewithall for a post right then. I was touched and humbled by your gentleness and lack of judgement.
Truth be told, this has been hard on each and every one of us. Hardest most on Sunshine, of course, but being able to fully acknowledge and appreciate that just makes it worse on our hearts. We have managed to heap enormous amounts of guilt on ourselves, and it has made the last few days beyond difficult. We are nurturers by nature, and to know that someone we love is hurting has been a heavy cross to bear. I seriously want a do-over for this week. I want to be able to fix the unfixable, mend broken hearts, solve every problem and restore light and happiness where we are all feeling very empty.
We are all having a very, very difficult time with any sort of cheer or excitement over this trip right now. I'm not going to lie, its going to be tough.
Yesterday I had the grim task of removing Sunshine from the pre-booked items that we had purchased for our trip. Cancelling her All Day Dining and Dine with Shamu passes at SeaWorld. Cancelling her quick service dining at Universal. Cancelling her ticket for the dolphin cruise. Reducing our Disney character breakfast down from a party of 4 to a party of 3 (and it took every single thread of my soul not to cancel it outright......we booked that meal specifically with her in mind....but I didn't want to be impulsive when I am still operating solely on some very raw emotions). Jetblue deducted a $70 cancellation fee from her return ticket that we purchased for her, but was able to return $57.10 to our travel bank for a future flight. The extra ticket for the Superstar Character Breakfast at Universal will be refunded back to my very generous friend when I visit Guest Services at the park once we arrive (they could not process the refund on that item until we are there in person as we actually have the hard tickets already in hand).
The fourth ticket to the Tampa Bay/Blue Jays game at Tropicana Field that was so generously given to us by my bestie and will now go unused is bothering me terribly. Its one thing if WE are out money as a result of this unexpected event (and right now, I truly don't care at all about the cost), but it hurts me to know that someone else is out of pocket as a result.
@JaxDad , what are you doing on the 30th of April? Wanna go to a baseball game? (and I'm only half joking here.....if you feel like joining us, PM me for sure)
Sunshine's annual pass to SeaWorld and her admission to the Behind the Scenes tour were both free (part of BOGO offers) so we were neither out of pocket for those items nor entitled to a refund. I tried to see if I could pay forward her SeaWorld AP to someone else (since she has not yet used it to enter the park) but since we activated it and had a hard card issued at Christmas, they can't change the name on the pass.
The only other item I have yet to be able to successfully deal with has been her 3 day, park to park ticket for Universal. It was non-refundable through
Undercover Tourist and because it was purchased through a third party, Universal's guest services will not assist me at all. We will decide within the next couple of days if either Steve or I will activate it at the end of the month and upgrade it to an AP (renewing the other one of ours that expires on May 1st, and adding Universal to the plans for October), or gift it to another Diser who will be vacationing prior to the May 31st expiry.
I have to say, having to deal with all the administration of the cancellations did nothing for my sadness and guilt. By the end of the day yesterday I felt like my heart had been run over by a bus.
This is one of those times I wish I were an emotionally-detached, hard-hearted, self-absorbed schmuck. It really would be easier.
At any rate, time marches on. 17 days to go. I know I will regain the enthusiasm again at some point, but I doubting it will be today. To each of you who posted a message of support and encouragement here, I offer you a big hug.
They all helped more than you can ever know.
. As my boss always says...."you make more every day".
. I think we will absolutely do that.
. I can almost hear the waves lapping the shoreline.
