Live,Love,and Forgive
Photo Credit: EH
I had a wonderful trip with friends last week at Walt Disney World. My trip was placed at risk as you can read here due to being hit in the head by a closet door. Even with a bruise and headache, I was still determined to make this trip. I was even willing to pay someone to pick me up and drive if I was told not to. One friend arrived with what we thought was a broken finger and refused to go to an urgent care because she did not want to miss anything. It turned out she has a sprained finger. The things we will cope with to be at “our Happy Place”.
This trip was special because I would be with four friends, who I talk with on a daily basis. We would be at Walt Disney World together at the same time, which is hard to do with schedules, families, and jobs. There were plenty of laughs, memorable quotes, and talks on a variety of subjects. During the trip, one friend was informed of a death in her Disney family. She was sad and debated on whether to continue with plans she had made. We rallied around her, showed her love, made her laugh, and encouraged her to celebrate the life of her friend. She did just that and provided us with the most laughs at Ohana for dinner. The group dinner at Ohana lasted about three hours after we sat down due to us laughing and talking. Our group entertained other tables so much so guests wanted to join the “party”. Oh and yes we wore shirts that we are becoming famous for.
Photo Credit: EH
Besides laughs and fun, we addressed the importance of forgiveness and love. These are two elements in friendships that are so easily forgotten when drama appears in the form of disagreements or miscommunication. We listened to each other’s views on this and the bottom line was still the same. In order to live, you have to fully forgive and “keep it moving”. I am guilty of not fully forgiving because I do guard my feelings. Life is too short to hold on to regrets, disappointments, negative thoughts, and pain. I also view living as being able to focus on the blessings when there is pain or fear. For me, I have a father in the hospital on his third or fourth knee surgery. Instead of focusing on the pain of him being in the hospital and crying, I flipped it to think about this surgery they will get it right and he will be enjoying himself at Disney World in September for his only grandson’s first trip. When I awoke on Sunday to leave for home, I saw I had a late night text from my sister telling me my 7 month old nephew had to be taken to the ER due to his temperature being high. I was about to go on the war path on why she did not call me. Her response was simple, you would have gotten on the road late to get to him and you needed to rest. Ok, I had no comeback for that. Again, I changed my thought process to he was seen and released to go home because the doctors felt he was fine to take medication at home.
This was another Disney trip that was more than attractions, Mickey ice cream bars, and churros. It was about being with friends who cared enough to discuss difficult topics despite different opinions, rallying together to show a friend who was grieving we are here for you, and just being supportive of each other regardless.
So before I end this post, I challenge you to live, love, and forgive more. Life is too short!!
Photo Credit: EH
Remember When Project
Once again Shaene (@Shaene_o_mite) with the assistance of Marc (@MarkyMarc70) created a slideshow that shows more of what Disney is about…memories of trips to the Disney Parks with family and friends. So as you watch it and possibly see your picture flash across the screen, think about that trip, the laughs, the attractions, the food, etc.
Project Good Life
A very good friend, Shaene C ( @Shaene_o_mite ) , no he is my little brother from another mother, sent an email asking for pictures of me and family enjoying anything Disney. It took me a while to find pictures because I am the one that takes the pictures and not in them. Once I located a couple of pictures of me at Walt Disney World and on the Dream cruise ship, I sent them to him. I then inquired to what was this “Project Good Life” he was developing. The results can be seen by clicking on the link below.
No matter what we go through, in the end we do have a Good Life.
Disney Love
Some people will never understand why I love Disney. I have learned to accept that along with the remarks that go with it. Yes, being a Disney lover I hear “You going there again?” or “Why do you keep going back?” It use to baffle me that others would have so many comments or opinions on where I wanted to invest my time. Do those that go to the beach or Las Vegas get the same comments? I doubt that.
Disney World does mean more to me than riding Splash Mountain or taking a picture with a character. Maybe that is what others do not understand. I have developed friendships, strong family-ties with a handful of people that I would not trade. During my last trip, 12/1-4, I had the opportunity to do a girls’ trip with Sara M. (@DisneySara), who is the author of the blog Mickens Mouse (mickensmouse.blogspot.com). This was the first trip we had a chance to really talk, laugh, and shop. We refer to shopping as “enhancing”. A term used by another close friend and shopping pal, Toni F. (@Dopey926). We spent more times in stores than on rides. We danced down Main Street USA at Magic Kingdom and enjoyed eating sweets while taking in The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Another friend Phil A. (@PAdams626) drove down for a day with his son to spend time with the girls at Epcot and Magic Kingdom.
Photo Credit: EH
Last year my sister and I took our first sisters’ trp. We went during the first weekend of Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival and learn about Epic October. Growing up we were not as close due to the five year age difference. We had different friends and participated in different activities. Fast forward to adulthood and we are running around four parks trying new sweets and collecting pins. She refuses to collect
Vinylmations, but as I recall she purchased one. We participated in the 2010 Wine & Dine ½ Marathon Relay. We earned our medals and the soreness that follows after a race. My sister and I attended our first meet-up at 2010 WDW Foodie Fest hosted by AJ (@DisneyFoodBlog). We had so much fun meeting AJ and other tweeps.
Family and friends are two of the main reasons I love going to Disney World. I no longer feel the need to defend my decision to go to the “Happiest Place on Earth.” What makes me even more excited about taking trips there is to be able to share it with my nephew, who made his grand entrance into the world this November. Yes, his auntie will be purchasing him an annual pass.
Photo Credit: JG
Plans for trips in 2012 with family and friends are already in the works. I of course will write about how the plans are coming along and the trips themselves. My love for Disney will never fade; it only gets stronger with trips with family, friends, and meeting new people who also share the love of the magic and pixie dust.
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