Sometimes we need to pause. We pause only briefly, with hope of it lasting the whole week, and the reality that there will be interruptions along the way. We pause, knowing that pain is ever-present, acknowledging with gratitude any breaks we are granted. We pause knowing surgeries will always be forthcoming, but for right now they can wait. We pause because with the pace of this life it is easy to miss the little things, the important things. We pause to enjoy noise that is not NYC traffic, or the sound of a doctor’s office. We pause to quiet the phone calls that need answering. We pause so we are better prepared to battle this Cowden’s Syndrome. We pause to remind ourselves of the beauty, within our family, and around us in the world.
Breathtaking sunset
Hanging around the hotel
Friendly EPCOT duck
Animal Kingdom Safari
Animal Kingdom Safari
Last week we were in Walt Disney World, in Florida. It is our favorite, actually the ONLY vacation spot we have ever had as a family. We are fortunate to have celebrated Meghan’s birthday there for the last 8 years. Disney is crowded, and hot, and pricey, and all the things the haters of the big Mouse want to say. But, to the rest of us, there is a magic – a magic that endures regardless of age. It’s hard to describe it, unless you feel it, but we do. There is magic in avoiding doctors. There is magic in eating safe food from restaurants, and having a bakery that even makes cookies, and cupcakes for your gluten, dairy, soy free girl. So much of what we can’t do during the year is because of scheduling, and food. It seems silly, but with those obstacles gone, it is a recipe for success.
Even the negativity that tries to get at us, ultimately fails – http://beatingcowdens.com/2015/08/09/theres-nothing-wrong-with-that-girl/
The trip was one of the smoothest we have ever had. (Aside from me unpacking late the first night to realize I forgot the enzymes Meghan needs to eat! Fortunately I ALWAYS have extra, and Mom got them overnighted so they arrived in the nick of time Saturday. Tragedy averted. Magical.)
And I was only on the phone with one doctor. Once. The WHOLE WEEK!
I sometimes look at others vacation photos and think it would be nice, and perhaps a lot less costly, to change things up. It might be interesting to see a few new things. I would love to travel the country one day. But, there will be time for all of that – later. For now it’s about magic, and the treasure of having a preteen who still feels the magic in her heart.
Plus, we have some favorite rides…
She’s more brave than me, but we DID it!
TWICE!
Some Magical birthday wishes…
Her first “REAL” cake in YEARS!
https://www.erinmckennasbakery.com/orlando/
Time with “BOB” our favorite entertainer…
And a birthday tradition…
A great view…
Spectacular nighttime shows…
Some Mom time…
Some Dad time…
And some time to just be 12, all by herself…
There was plenty of time for me to walk. And think about whatever I wanted, or nothing at all. And we three started each day with our Isagenix… (fool me once – but never twice… for those of you who remember last year’s debacle!)
There were days I felt like I could go on forever…
And days to just be a little silly…
And as is the case every year when we pull away from our “home” for the week, I find my heart beating a bit faster. My mind begins to race back on track. And I don’t really like it.
This has been a wild summer. One too many doctor’s appointments, too few days of simple relaxation. And even as I am ALWAYS so conscious it could be much worse, I feel a bit of longing to do it all again, or maybe tack a few weeks on the back-end…
But, time does as it pleases, and eight days from now my girl will be recovering from another hand surgery.
We’ve begun to prepare for fall activities, and we are looking to sure up a date for our PTEN Foundation/ Global Genes Project fundraiser in February.
BEATING COWDENS takes stamina. Fortunately, we’ve got that.
And even more – we’ve got each other. And if we pause for no other reason, it is so we NEVER FORGET…
Between us we’ve got unparalleled strength, and never-ending love.
