Well my friends…..here’s a post I didn’t think I’d be writing, especially this close to our travel date. It’s a tough one for me too.
When we leave for Florida later this month, we will be once again travelling just as a family of three. Sunshine will no longer be joining us on our
epic Orlando adventures.
As you might have guessed, this sudden change has not been an easy one for any of us…..much of this entire vacation was organized with Sunshine’s interests and overall experience in mind. We were all excited to show her “our” Orlando…..and the anticipation has been building for months as many special events for her specific enjoyment were added to our ever-evolving itinerary.
What I didn’t share with you so far is that Sunshine suffers from some pretty intense anxiety issues. She is very open with people about her struggles with mental illness (as is her family), so I am confident she won’t mind the limited information I will share with you as part of this post. Her struggles have been increasing substantially lately…..beyond anything that her parents, Jake, Steve or I could help her with. Sometimes, when it comes to issues like these, all the love and support in the world isn’t enough to “fix” things.
Jake’s recent transition from college student to full-time work force has been an adjustment that has been particularly hard for her to bear. His frenetic schedule and long hours made supporting her emotional needs that much more difficult, and he was struggling emotionally under the pressure as well. He cared about her enough to know that their relationship would continue to be difficult for her when his work circumstances were not going to change. Under the current conditions, we also had our concerns about her anxiety levels on the trip (and how we would address any issues that arose, out of our home country and away from her support network).
It is beyond an understatement to say this was a painful and heartbreaking decision. Jake talked with both her and her parents, as did we, and even though we all felt it was ultimately the right thing for Sunshine (including herself), it has not come without a huge amount of heartbreak and tears.
And so begins a new direction for this trip: the Three Amigos will be picking ourselves up, dusting ourselves off, and heading southward as planned, but minus our special guest. I have the unpleasant process, over the next few days, of adjusting our existing reservations….for character breakfasts, Dine with Shamu, SeaWorld tours, etc…..to a party of three from a party of four. Not a place we expected to be in right now, but I will hold tight to the belief that it has happened for a reason. We don’t always understand the “grand plan” until much, much later.
She and Jake will remain dear friends, and she will always hold a special place in Steve & I's hearts. We pray that she gets the help she needs to be happy and healthy. Her place in our family may have changed, but our love for her has not.
18 days to departure (almost to the minute). And if we didn’t need a vacation before now……well, we certainly do at this point.
Should we start trying to guess what crime you might be planning to commit? That could be a fun diversion from all the sad posts lately.
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. I am so touched by your offer!! I have already been so incredibly (and undeservedly) blessed for this trip with so many little 'extras' that we were not expecting, I couldn't possibly accept any more. But the fact that you offered just warmed my heart more than you know.
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so we have to create our own impromptu versions:
), and make it a Princess Dismeet 
versus a prison one. We can all wear crowns and dress in pink. Sorry, @bankr63 and @JaxDad . We might be able to make an exception to the dress code for you guys.....perhaps a bow tie and tux would be a good substitution?
) 
I may have to share that one on Facebook too!!
