Why I will forever be grateful to DVC

[momof3poohlovers]

In a little over 2 weeks we will be heading to WDW for another Thanksgiving spent at Disney with my family. This will be our first trip without my mom and although I know it will be very hard spending our first Thanksgiving without her, I am very grateful for all of the wonderful memories we were able to make all these years. My mom died of cancer in April and has left such a void in our lives. It will be so weird and sad to not have her along with us as we travel to Disney this year. She loved Disney as much as I do and I think her favorite part was holding one of her grandchildren's hands in hers and she walked through the park or rode on a ride with them. My kids would fight over who got to ride with grandma. She always insisted that we get a 2 bedroom villa so she could sleep in the "kid's" room even though many times we offered to get her own room so she could have a break sometimes. I don't think she would have it any other way. DVC allowed us to be able to have villas large enough that we could all stay together, hang out and relax in the room and watch TV or movies together in the evenings. I can honestly say, I will always be thankful that we purchased DVC because it really did make our trips a little more magical!

 

[DizBub]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Your trip will be bittersweet this year but know that she will certainly be with you in spirit.

 

[bobbiwoz]

What a wonderful tribute to your mom!

 

[Disney4Shaw]

I am so sorry for your loss. It is beautiful that your family made such wonderful memories with your mother. thank you for reminding the rest of us not to take our loved ones for granted!

 

[DebbieB]

Sorry for your loss. I have a similar story. I bought DVC in 1999 so that my mom and I could have wonderful vacations in a 1 bedroom at WDW twice a year (Mothers Day at OKW, early December at BWV). Right after I bought it she had a reoccurrence of her breast cancer. I wasn't sure if we were going to get one trip in. Turned out with various treatments, she made it to September 2005. We had 11 DVC trips! She loved the 1 bedroom, she called it our "apartment". I cherish those memories too!

 

[haj697]

It sounds like you and your family have wonderful memories to hold on to. We bought into DVC with the hope of doing the same thing. We've been able to take trips with my siblings and their families, but never my parents. My mother has very aggressive MS and is no longer able to travel. She loves Disney as much as the rest of us and when we do go to WDW, we ride her favorite rides (People mover and Small World) in her honor.

 

[rmcildw2m]

My heart goes out to you . you only get one mom in life and I think you had a good one. Enjoy your trip up coming as she will be smiling down on you all.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

Thank you all for the kind words! I guess I was feeling a little nostalgic yesterday and maybe a little dramatic. I just kept thinking yesterday that my older kids will remember my mom but my 4 year old probably will forget all the fun times they had at Disney. I am thankful though that I had made photo books of all of our trips and hopefully through pictures he will have some memories.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

Sorry for your loss. I have a similar story. I bought DVC in 1999 so that my mom and I could have wonderful vacations in a 1 bedroom at WDW twice a year (Mothers Day at OKW, early December at BWV). Right after I bought it she had a reoccurrence of her breast cancer. I wasn't sure if we were going to get one trip in. Turned out with various treatments, she made it to September 2005. We had 11 DVC trips! She loved the 1 bedroom, she called it our "apartment". I cherish those memories too!

Aww Debbie, I am so sorry for your loss too. I am so happy you were able to get in 11 trips! That is awesome. Memories are so precious. It's been less than 6 months since I lost my mom, I am hoping it gets easier.

haj697, that is so sweet of your family to do that! I am sure she is with you all in spirit!

 

[OrlandoNative]

Like you we bought in 1994 and I have many wonderful memories with my mom at Disney. Even though we had no idea the Thanksgiving of 2005 would be her last Thanksgiving, I am so thankful it was spent at Saratoga Springs with all her family around her. She passed away of cancer in July of 2006.

 

[trampslady]

I certainly appreciate your taking the time to share your fond memories with all of your DVC family. I fully understand the emotions you are certainly feeling. My husband and I purchased in 2002. We have no children; however, we starting take my mom and grandmother-dad and brother too every so often.

My grandmother grew up in very hard times and worked so hard for everything she ever had. Being able to take her to Disney and watch her become a kid herself--I would not trade for those memories ever. We have so many fun photos of her laughing, enjoying a Mickey bar, wearing funny hats, 3-D glasses, etc. When she passed away unexpectedly, we were able to share all that joy with others at her memorial--instead of tears, there was lots of smiles.

That's sorta what Disney is all about for many of us--a place to build memories that you may not even know to cherish until that's all you have remaining.

Enjoy Thanksgiving--we will be there too. Know that mom is there with you in spirit, and take time to reflect on those special times!

 

[momof3poohlovers]

Like you we bought in 1994 and I have many wonderful memories with my mom at Disney. Even though we had no idea the Thanksgiving of 2005 would be her last Thanksgiving, I am so thankful it was spent at Saratoga Springs with all her family around her. She passed away of cancer in July of 2006.

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. It is also nice that all of you now have that memory of your last Thanksgiving with her as well. It doesn't seem like it ever will be the same but I know new memories will be made, maybe one day I will have grandchildren of my own and can follow in her footsteps.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

I certainly appreciate your taking the time to share your fond memories with all of your DVC family. I fully understand the emotions you are certainly feeling. My husband and I purchased in 2002. We have no children; however, we starting take my mom and grandmother-dad and brother too every so often.

My grandmother grew up in very hard times and worked so hard for everything she ever had. Being able to take her to Disney and watch her become a kid herself--I would not trade for those memories ever. We have so many fun photos of her laughing, enjoying a Mickey bar, wearing funny hats, 3-D glasses, etc. When she passed away unexpectedly, we were able to share all that joy with others at her memorial--instead of tears, there was lots of smiles.

That's sorta what Disney is all about for many of us--a place to build memories that you may not even know to cherish until that's all you have remaining.

Enjoy Thanksgiving--we will be there too. Know that mom is there with you in spirit, and take time to reflect on those special times!

Thank you so much for such a thoughtful and kind response. I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. I think you hit the nail on the head, Disney is about memories, great memories that last a lifetime. I think that is why I love it so much. I know that my kids will look back on their childhood and remember all of the fun times we had together. Hopefully they will continue the tradition with their own families when they start them.

 

[apple9117]

So sorry to hear about your loss. It's great to hear that DVC helped to build memories you'll have forever.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I'm so sorry to hear of the losses many of you have shared here.
Yet, it warms my heart to hear you all appreciating the best thing about Disney - the reason Walt first dreamed of DL. Making family memories! That was our whole reason for purchasing, and we have been able to enjoy many special memories with our grandchildren so far, with hopefully many more to come. Thank you for sharing, and for helping us to focus on the right things - not worry so much about FP and ADRs, etc.