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| Abby meeting Cinderella. |
This year the main event in going to Disney was Abby’s
“Princess Dinner”. Anne schedules it
many months in advance. The reservations
are often hard to make since so many people want their little princess to meet
the ‘real’ Disney princesses.
Anne is able to get reduced ticket costs since our family is
Disney Vacation Club members which makes it much
more affordable. Such organizations such
as “Make A Wish” foundation also schedule events such as this for children that
have serious or terminal illnesses as well.
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| Getting to meet Pluto as a family. |
During the supper hour various princesses
come to the tables and visit with each of the children seated there. As I looked around I could see many of the little girls who had their princess dresses on and were very excited about
meeting their princess hero. Abby would
be mesmerized by each approaching princess, and sometime she would have an
unexpected princess visitor come from behind her. During these times her eyes would become as
big as saucers and we could see the reserved nature that Abby had, dissolve into
breathless anticipation as that particular princess would address her
personally. Abby would get up slowly,
pull her skirt out on both sides, and bow her head and curtsy. Some of the princess’ would be surprised by
such a show of respect and honor towards them, but to Abby she wanted to
venerate them for whom she knew them to be, her heroes. It would not be uncommon at this point for
the princess to bow in return to Abby.
Then the princess would kneel down to Abby’s level and speak softly to
her. The rest of us would strain our
ears to hear what was being said, but realize our efforts were in vain. We would then collectively smile and confess
to ourselves that this moment was for Abby and not us.
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| Abby meeting a new friend on the Disney bus. |
In digressing, I remember reading once of a family who were
about to pray before a holiday meal. The
honor fell to the little girl in the family.
She shyly prayed in a low tone and when the little girl was done she
ended by saying proudly “Amen!”
The grandfather retorted in frustration after the prayer,
“You could have spoken louder, I couldn’t hear a word you said!” The little girl visibly shrank in her chair
after the grandfather’s remonstration.
Just then the little girl’s father spoke up with a gentle smile on his
face, “Don’t worry dad, the person she was speaking to heard her fine.”
Towards the end of the princess meal Abby spoke up and said
with disappointment, “I forgot to give the princess’ the drawings I did for
them.” We tried to console her, but
before we could speak again, Abby left the table and walked over to another
table close by. We collectively watched
with puzzled looks on our faces. Abby
started to speak with a little girl who did not have a princess dress. I noticed at that time the little girl did
not have a mother with her, just her gentle father. The little girl’s dad watched with a puzzled
look at the conversation between the two little girls. They both then dropped to the floor and
had a long discussion between them. We
couldn't hear their conversation, but we could see the smiles on their
faces. I looked over to the little
girl’s father; he had a smile that went from ear to ear. His little girl was having the time of her
life. Just then I glanced down at the girls
and I could see they were not looking for princesses anymore, they were
enjoying each other’s presence. Next, I saw Abby take her pictures and give them to the little girl. The little girl’s face just beamed with joy. I then looked over to the father and he was
so happy. I could see that his whole
world was at peace and filled with joy.
His little precious daughter was so happy and that made him know a
completeness that was so visible on his smiling face.
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| When visiting China at Epcot, Mulan was sitting alone in shadows watching the activities nearby. Abby was fortunate to be able to visit with her for quite sometime. It appears they had become good friends before leaving. Mulan walked Abby over to the wall facing us and spoke to her in quiet tones. I could see that they were having fun getting to know each other. Later Mulan spoke to Will who was shy. She was able to get him to talk to her through her gentle ways. |
As we were leaving the father spoke to us as we were passing
by, “Your daughter truly is a princess!”
I could see that he was approaching tears and it choked me up so that it
was hard for me to speak. Anne seeing my
state of emotion thanked him for allowing his little girl time to play with
Abby. I realized after leaving the meal
that my little girl was teaching me about kindness, selflessness, and generosity. I too was a father who was very appreciative
of the precious gift of a little heart God has placed in my presence, my little
Abby.
