I Dream of "Disney"

Classic Disney program I enjoyed as a child (photo credits: cbc.ca)

  

The wonderful world of "Disney" had been a significant part of my life as child. 

I first fell in love with Snowhite, the first ever Disney movie I saw and watched over and over (and over) again.   Since then, I became a big fan of anything and everything “Disney”.   From Dumbo and Pinocchio... to Peter Pan and Bambi...  Aladdin and Cinderella... I always looked forward to my weekend Disney marathons.       

As a young girl, I had my own “Disney-inspired” fantasy world.  I imagined what it would be like to get lost in Wonderland like Alice... or having a Fairy Godmother and attend a magical Ball like Cinderella... At times I would dream of living in an enchanted castle like Belle and best of all, to meet Mickey Mouse.

Some of my classic movie favorites included Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone and 101 Dalmatians.  Before I learned nursery rhymes, I was singing Disney songs.

The story of young Arthur before he became King in "The Sword in the Stone" (photo credits: fanpop.com)

My grandmother knew how much I loved Disney.   She promised to take me to Disneyland as a gift if I will be able to graduate Highschool with honors.  It was a dream I kept in my heart as a child.  So I strived to excel in school.  When I was able to achieve my goal,  I knew my childhood dream was finally within reach. 

But it wasn't meant to be...

Our family business encountered major financial problems.  Gradually, I began to lose the pampered, privileged life I was used to.  I had to learn to sacrifice some of the comforts in life.  This meant giving up even my childhood dream. 

My fairy tale life was coming to an end... 

My grandmother never talked to me about Disneyland from that time on.  But I perfectly understood.  As much as my parents and my grandmother desired to give me only the best things in life, our survival and livelihood as a family was far more important at that moment.  I was happy to sacrifice a dream if it meant having a better life for my family and a brighter future for me. 

Disneyland remained a dream.  But the magic of Disney I have carried in my heart since I was a child, continued to live on up until this very day.  For “Disney” never fails to remind me of the happy memories of my childhood.  

 

As a mom, I shared my passion for Disney to my son.  I opened him up to the same magical fantasy I enjoyed as a child.  It became our bond and connection.  Ofcourse, he learned to discover his “own” favorites.  He loved Lightning McQueen, Buzz and Woody, Simba the Lion King, and even Aladdin, to name a few. 

This year, I honestly never expected that my childhood dream would finally come true.  My husband, son, and I were blessed to go to Disneyland as a family (Thank God for the people who made this possible!).  It was as if I was young once again... my heart was filled with such pure joy and child-like wonder. 



Family trip to Hongkong Disneyland

But this time it wasn't about me anymore...  I wasn't just living out my childhood dream.  I personally witnessed how my son's very own dream became a reality.  It was truly a fairy tale moment for me as a mom.  To have my son's magical fantasy fulfilled was my very own "happily ever after" coming true.  I will forever cherish this experience in my heart... seeing how happy he was...  the wonder and excitement in his eyes... that "star-strucked" expression he had seeing all his favorite characters come to life.  

It was my son's dream to meet Buzz Lightyear!

One of the most memorable moments during our trip was when my son suddenly said, “Mommy, you know I love you.”  I knew no words could ever express his joy and gratitude … but as a child, he knew that only pure love was enough to share that happiness he was feeling in his heart. 

meet and greet Mickey!

Our family’s Disneyland trip reminded me that promises can be fulfilled and dreams indeed can come true.  It doesn’t matter how long you wait, for nothing is impossible for those who hope… who have faith... and who believe.    

We may sometimes find it difficult to believe in fairy tales these days.   But in the midst of the challenges we face in life, never, ever lose the "child" in all of us...  for that is where dreams and magical possibilities truly exists.   

My love for Disney symbolizes that “child” in me.   

Even if life doesn't always turn out according to plan, it is by seeing the world through the eyes of a "child" that will allow us to appreciate the beauty of it.  Nothing can compare with the feeling of satisfaction in every unexpected blessing that comes our way and the real happiness in discovering that life can oftentimes be filled with wonderful surprises. 

Credits: Our heartfelt gratitude and love to God's instruments who made this dream possible... SFC Qatar,  may God bless you more!