Way to honor/remember a deceased family member on upcoming Disney trip

[HHMcG]

I have an odd request for help. I am looking for a way to honor/remember a deceased family member on an upcoming Disney World trip.

Background: We are headed to The World the week after the (2nd) anniversary of my MIL passing and the week before her birthday. My FIL and SIL will be on the trip with us. They often still 'celebrate' MIL - buy flowers she would like, a nicknack that reminds them of her, ect. Especially at this time of year they like to celebrate her more. Last year on her birthday we had cake. She is talked about daily. It is all very positive, not sad, just remembering her.

Also, part of the reason for this trip is the fact that she never got to come to DW with the grandkids. DH is determined for that not to happen to his father.

On the trip we will also be celebrating DH and DS's birthdays. There birthdays are about a month beforehand. It is likely that FIL will make a comment about celebrating their birthdays and not MILs which is closer to the trip. That is just how the family thinks about her.

Any ideas?



No way am I adding her birthday as a celebration to one of our meals. I imagine that would be awkward for the server.

I have never been to DW with her (and she hadn't been in 10+ years) so I don't know a favorite ride or spot of hers.

I'm thinking maybe something with a birthday button, special Mickey ears or a stuffed animal??????? Maybe a cupcake from Main Street Bakery?????

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

You could buy a balloon and release it, or give it to a child, knowing you're doing it in her memory.

You could do some random act of kindness in her memory - pay for the next person's Mickey ice cream, for example.

Just remember her and she'll be with you in your hearts.

 

[Egdisney]

I love the RAOK in her memory. A bunch of is did that in memory of a friend who passed away. It was a wonderful way to remember them.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

A trip after our family member passed away we stopped outside the train station and got pixie dust...throw it high to the sky with love.
It was a difficult trip with memories, but it was about making new memories.

 

[aubriee]

You could buy a balloon and release it, or give it to a child, knowing you're doing it in her memory.

You could do some random act of kindness in her memory - pay for the next person's Mickey ice cream, for example.

Just remember her and she'll be with you in your hearts.

My dad died March 10, 2010. I had a solo WDW trip planned for the first week of May. Not wanting to leave my mom alone, I almost canceled the trip, but she insisted I go. Prior to the trip, I mentioned here on the DIS that my dad had always bought my brother and I alot balloons when we were kids and that I was thinking about releasing one in his memory during my May trip, as a way to finally say bye to him. I was reminded that there was no way to control where a balloon would actually come down and there would be a chance that an animal could swallow it. Anyway, I did buy one in MK, kept it for awhile remembering my dad, and then started looking for a child to give it away to. I saw a little girl crying (not sure about what) with her mom trying to console her, while the dad looked on appearing very frazzled. The dad saw me smiling sympathetically at them, shrugged his shoulders, and gave me a look like 'what's a parent to do'. Since the little girl was still looking down and crying, (not seeing me), I pointed to the balloon whispering if they would mind if I gave it to her. He said he appreciated it, but I didn't have to give up my balloon. Even though I had planned on not telling the person why I was giving the balloon away, I changed my mind and leaned over and very quietly whispered to him that I had just lost my dad not quite two months before and had only bought the balloon in memory of him and planned on giving it away to a child anyway. He then said they'd really appreciate it then. As soon as I asked the little girl if she wanted the balloon, her tears dried up like magic and she got a huge smile on her face. When she looked up I saw she had the same strange light aqua blue eyes that my dad had.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

My dad died March 10, 2010. I had a solo WDW trip planned for the first week of May. Not wanting to leave my mom alone, I almost canceled the trip, but she insisted I go. Prior to the trip, I mentioned here on the DIS that my dad had always bought my brother and I alot balloons when we were kids and that I was thinking about releasing one in his memory during my May trip, as a way to finally say bye to him. I was reminded that there was no way to control where a balloon would actually come down and there would be a chance that an animal could swallow it. Anyway, I did buy one in MK, kept it for awhile remembering my dad, and then started looking for a child to give it away to. I saw a little girl crying (not sure about what) with her mom trying to console her, while the dad looked on appearing very frazzled. The dad saw me smiling sympathetically at them, shrugged his shoulders, and gave me a look like 'what's a parent to do'. Since the little girl was still looking down and crying, (not seeing me), I pointed to the balloon whispering if they would mind if I gave it to her. He said he appreciated it, but I didn't have to give up my balloon. Even though I had planned on not telling the person why I was giving the balloon away, I changed my mind and leaned over and very quietly whispered to him that I had just lost my dad not quite two months before and had only bought the balloon in memory of him and planned on giving it away to a child anyway. He then said they'd really appreciate it then. As soon as I asked the little girl if she wanted the balloon, her tears dried up like magic and she got a huge smile on her face. When she looked up I saw she had the same strange light aqua blue eyes that my dad had.

Thank you

 

[Marsheliz]

I'm sorry for your loss... My mom passed in April from cancer.. We took her with us last year & I'm afraid this weekend when we go- may make me a little sad.... However, The balloon is a wonderful idea!!! I may have to try.

That is so sweet about the above poster giving a balloon to a child & her having eyes like your dad.. Precious!! I'm a believer in things happening and people being put on your path for a reason!

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

My brother passed away unexpectedly at 48 years old in November 2011. He and my DD were close. We went to Disneyland for the first time last October, so we were about 3 weeks from the one year anniversary of his passing on our trip....and his birthday occurred while we were gone. (and that is this week....)

We bought a balloon while we were in California Adventure, DD (who had just turned 8) wrote a message on it telling him Happy Birthday and that we love and miss him. She decided to release it, so that it would float up to heaven and he could see it. I thought it was such a sweet gesture.

I did get somewhat flamed on another thread on this board for releasing a balloon.
You will figure out something that makes sense to you and honors your family member properly. Hopefully people will be respectful of whatever you decide if you choose to write about it.

Have a great trip and make wonderful memories. I cannot think of a better way to honor those you love than with memories.

 

[HHMcG]

Thank you all for the wonderful ideas!

I love the RAOK ideas! I also love the idea of writing a Happy Birthday message on a balloon. But my MIL would freak out at the idea of releasing a balloon. (She lived her whole life at the ocean and was quite and animal lover.) Maybe we can just leave it behind as if a little piece of MIL will always get to be at the Happiest Place on Earth.

I think I'll start talking to the kids about the RAOKs. If they can help plan it they may be more willing to give up the toy/balloon/ect.