My brother and his family are currently in Disney World for the holidays. Everytime I think of Disney I remember the first time I took Betsy to Disney. I waited until she was 10 because being single I knew we probable wouldn’t be able to make this a frequent trip and I wanted to it to be a great trip for us. She would be old enough and tall enough to ride everything in the parks.
My mother and stepfather decided to come with us, they were planning to follow us around, but I knew that wouldn’t last long, since we could walk faster than they could.
We purchased a travel book to plan our days so we wouldn’t miss anything we wanted to do. Staying in the park was a no-brainer, with the early entry and the Fast-Pass we were good to go. I was nervous on the flight, especially with the most important people in my life on the plane with me. But soon we landed, were in the shuttle and on our way to the Magic Kingdom.
Our stay was for a week, just the right amount of time to visit each park, take time in a water park, revisit some of our favorite places but feel not as rushed. I can’t recall the precise order in which we went to each park, but I know we were at the Magic Kingdom first. That was Betsy’s first choice. She and I had so much fun, just laughing and laughing. The Haunted House was a favorite. And the roller coasters, of course.
We had lunch at the Crystal Palace, with the Winnie the Pooh characters, because Winnie the Pooh was her favorite character and book. She got autographs and pictures with all the Pooh guys. We also had breakfast with Mickie and Minnie Mouse. Both were so much fun. She was delighted. I was thrilled to see her so happy.
She did want to buy too many things. She got Mickey Ears in a Safari Hat, very cute and I still have them, I think. The best thing was a 4-5 foot Winnie the Pooh. Betsy wanted that more than anything else. That I still have too. Our maid in the hotel played with that Pooh and the hat all week, everyday it was somewhere else, sitting someplace in the room with the hat on its head. Gave her a big tip.
The most touching part was the day we had to leave. We had about half a day to spend in the Magic Kingdom, but Betsy just cried and cried. She loved Disney so much she didn’t want to leave and couldn’t stop sobbing because we were leaving. She asked me to get a job there because I am a teacher, in her mind it would be simple to move to Florida. Perhaps I should have done that. Betsy just enjoyed and loved whatever we did with so much heart that it broke her heart to leave somewhere.
We did go back to Disney, a few times with cheering competitions and she had a wonderful time there. But my favorite memory is of just being with her and having such a great time that she couldn’t bear to leave.
That sounds like a wonderful memory for both of you. You made the trip a wonderful experience for Betsy.
I always wonder whether it’s harder to lose an older child or younger. With a younger child, they weren’t around as long so maybe you’re not as used to their presence. With an older child, you have more memories to think back on. I don’t know that either is “better” (how do you quantify “better” related to something so horrible?) but I do wish I had more memories to think back on.
It was a wonderful time. As far as your wondering, I really don’t know which could be quantified as better. I think we both have those moments that we can never look forward to but I have been able to see proms, graduations and those types of things. Perhaps it may be worse to not have as many memories but as you mention you aren’t as accustomed to her being with you as much. That doesn’t lessen the loss, just makes it a bit different. It is still a horrible thing do occur, I wish you had more to remember too.