Do Something for the Kids... and Enjoy it Yourself!

Took the fam to Disney World. It all happened so quickly I still can't believe we pulled it off. The kids had been bugging us to take them for a couple of years, but I honestly never thought we would be able to go.

You can't turn on the television without seeing the commercials and the kids were determined to join the fun. They even ordered the promotional DVD and made us watch it with them. I remember thinking how neat it looked, but I just couldn't believe we would ever see any of it in person. I didn't think we could afford it, and I wasn't sure my wife could handle the physical stress. It was your basic fear of the unknown.

But I knew how much the kids wanted to go, and I believe families of faith should have the most fun. I also knew how busy the next few years may become. This seemed the best time to go and make some good memories. Our window to give it a try. Before I knew what happened, we had booked a room and bought tickets to the parks.

We waited until the tickets were purchased before we told the kids because we didn't want to disappoint them if it all fell apart. It was a wonderful night when we told them we were going. They yelled and hugged us. At first they didn't believe it, but when we showed them the receipt, they were jubilant. It was all worth it just to see their faces.

I wasn't quite so thrilled, though. It was only three weeks before our time to go and I was dreading the whole thing. I was afraid one of us would get sick or the weather would go sour on us. But I knew how much it meant to the kids and was determined to push forward. I honestly just wanted to get it over with.

Every day I watched the extended forecast for Orlando. Day after day it showed rain for the days we were going to be there. One week before we left, our daughter missed school with fever and vomiting. I was wondering how it would all play out. I only told a few people what we were planning, fearing we wouldn't get to go for some reason. Everyone assured me it would be great, but I was having a hard time believing it.

Until we went.

You know what? That may have been the most fun week we ever had. Not a hitch and I think I enjoyed it more than anyone. Yeah, it was a long way out there and back, but I loved every minute of it. No one was sick, the crowds were light, and the weather was perfect. The temperature was in the 80s, with nary a drop. Our feet got tired, but it was no problem for my wife or me to do all the walking we had to do. I took scores of pictures and yelled and hollered on the rides like I was a kid again. Pirates of the Caribbean, Expedition Everest, Space Mountain. We drank it all in and it was beyond a blast.

Call me a Disney fan. I hope we get to go back. It was another reminder for me that sometimes doing something for someone else can be a wonderful experience for you as well. Gather the family and do something fun this year. Get off the couch and make some memories. Don't let gravity or fear stop you. You may just have a better time than anyone.

You can contact Craig Harris at www.apparentlyso.net.