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If you want to see pictures from the trip to Disney, please Click Here.
Dear Everyone,
There's more! We visited Animal Kingdom, which was just breathtaking -- and we were treated like absolute royalty by the Disney Castmembers. Seriously, they were tripping all over themselves to give us the ultimate in personal service once they saw the GKTW badge Travis was to wear. They even arranged for us to meet the cast of the Lion King Show -- which was wonderful -- and took pictures as they all gave child's eye view attention to the boys. More memories, Spencer's hot fudge sundae for breakfast (I'd lost total parental authority by now.),to experiencing the beautiful, peaceful chapel at GKTW -- with 3-D clouds, stained glass windows with seasons scenes and the words Faith, Hope, Love and Peace, and finding a Gates of Prayer Jewish prayer book, to "making Shabbat" together alone in the chapel with family prayers and then Spencer suggested a silent prayer to God (oh man, we were so touched). Then, Shechecheyanu (a prayer thanking God for allowing us to reach this day)and the Shema. Then Travis added that they always ended services at Sunday School with a song, and again Spencer warmed our hearts -- by suggesting singing "The Tree of Life". Gulp. How appropriate -- as we'd just seen the amazing tree at Animal Kingdom that day (and saw the boys' "totems" carved in it -- the peacock and bear). Anyway, it was a beautiful family service -- completely private. Though it was a strange precursor to our evening surprise for the boys -- Medieval Times Dinner Theater (tickets provided by MT and Give Kids the World)! From the sublime to the ridiculous -- peaceful thanksgiving to knights fighting "to the death". Yikes, perhaps not the best choice, but Travis had never been before and had wanted to go. Oh well, it was fun -- just "very, very violent" as our sweet, pacifist Travis expressed afterwards.
Our last wish day was spent mostly at Give Kids The World -- just as the boys had wanted. This paradise was just perfect for us to relax and revel in our remaining vacation hours. So, with much time logged in the games arcade and even a bit of time at the pool (the other days had been too cool) and of course, a last guilt-free (is there such a thing?) whopper sundae before we left, it was a great day, capped off with a quick quiet visit to the chapel on our way out -- where the boys shared their thoughts with us about how they want to volunteer to make people so happy, too. (-:
I just can't say enough about GKTW -- in fact, I picked up a media packet on the way out, and am DETERMINED to find a way to "give back" to this organization and help them succeed even further. They're expanding to 100 villas (too bad they're needed) and adding a movie theater and much more, to delight wish kids and their families from all over the world. There are many, many corporate sponsors and I shouldn't point out just one, but we were so touched by Perkins, who donates the breakfast and dinner food AND a $25 gift certificate to cover lunch at a restaurant. Do take note, next time you're in a Perkins Restaurant, that they have many GKTW fund-raisers there (from coin boxes, to candy canes for sale, to rounding up your checks, to arcade games donating profits). Some corporate leaders just "get it" -- and know how to do good in the world with their companies. Joe and I plan on writing to many, if not all, of the sponsors of GKTW (and of course, Make-A-Wish) telling them how their generosity has impacted our lives.
And Disney -- what an amazing company. We awoke yesterday seeing hundreds of people outside our villa and around the village, working on the grounds. We later found out there were 200 Disney horticulture and landscaping employees who had donated their morning to re-mulch and spruce up the landscaping at GKTW -- something they do 4x a year! I know I might sound preachy, but if there's one lesson I learned loud and clear from this trip, it's that the best way to get over our own troubles and concerns is to focus on a bigger purpose and find a way to give back to others. We met an incredible business leader at GKTW just before we left (founder and CEO of a large, well-known construction company) who engaged us with his delightful personality -- all while he and two teenagers scooped up our sundaes at the ice cream palace. Here he is, with likely more money than a person could know what to do with, and he was donating his time to serve families like us. As we talked, it came out that he'd lost his son over 20 years ago at the age of 5. And it so struck me as he said, "It's something you never get over. It was like yesterday. And no amount of money in the world can bring this child back to me. I just have to try to help others as best I can. And it helps me in return -- in my heart." I swear, Joe and I could have stayed and talked with this man for hours (and could have eaten ice cream the whole time, too), were it not for our plane reservations. Lou, we won't forget you.
A few other tidbits, one is that I foolishly deferred my "long run" scheduled for yesterday (in Florida) until today, when I'd "feel rested". HAH! Between the extra few lbs I found at GKTW and the layers of mummy-wear I had to don to brave the 18 degree weather (that's without wind chill, folks, on a very windy day!), this was one hell of a gasper for me. But it's true, what they say. Purpose goes a LONG way. I kept thinking about the Leukemia Society's goal of finding a cure for cancer by 2003 and how maybe in 2004, children won't be needing BMT's or toxic chemo to fight this deadly disease. That, and the images from our last 2 years, kept me running the planned 5 miles. So gang, this marathon thing is real. And as a wise friend (and experienced marathoner) coached me -- don't just chase the goal -- enjoy the journey. Man, what great words -- it's a long road until June 3. I do have to say, though, that doing my 2 training runs at GKTW was so powerful. I'll never forget the feeling, rounding a corner and seeing a child -- bald and squealing with pure joy at the sight of the carousel and at the same time, hearing the speakers pumping out the music "Hi Ho, Hi Ho" -- both of which gave me a huge lift. Yikes, it's only just now that I remembered this was one of our family theme songs during the transplant days (we sang, "Hi Ho, Hi Ho, We're off to get marrow!"). I'll likely need to conjure up that image and sound when I'm running in the future. And for those of you who can and wish to, there's still time for you all to sponsor me to fight leukemia! Feel free to tell your friends and co-workers! (I'm shameless, I know -- but for a cause!)
And finally, it was unbelievably ironic that we'd headed to Disneyland with a child recovering from cancer and a bone marrow transplant and yet, on our return to the airport, just as we pulled up to the curbside check-in area, it was Spencer that said quietly, Mom, I'm feeling sick, and sure enough, "left his mark" by yarping all over the road right in front of the entry curb. It was so sweet, as I heard Travis say, "it's ok, Spencer, I threw up orange all over the waiting room when I had a CAT scan one day". And Joe and I had to laugh as he reminded me that we'd likely throw up too, if we'd eaten only french fries, sundaes, orange soda, candy and pancakes for the past 3 days. Anyway, he's fine now, whew! Just a wee bump in the road!
So, with great memories and a bit of a melancholy feeling at being "back in the real world", we're here, feeling healthy and ready to face whatever the next chapter brings. We'll keep you posted. Thanks again, everyone, for your wonderful notes, emails and messages. We feel you with us.
Love,
Melanie, Joe, Travis and Spencer